Frugality?

Is that a word?

We just moved. It has been 2 years since we last moved. Las Vegas is the place to buy right now, it is soooooo cheap to buy a house here. We have been renting since we moved to Vegas 3 years ago. In order to buy a house, we need to have a good down payment to get a better interest rate and all that jazz.

I have been fervently praying for something. A change maybe? Then, just 4 weeks ago, we decided to move into a smaller home, still in the same ward that we love, with $500 a month less rent! We are closer to our friends and ward members and there are 3 pools here that are open 24/7, 365. Nice.

We actually really love this smaller home. It is something to get use to, but it is really clean and very homey.

I really want to start saving in every way and there are a few people I know that do the couponing stuff. I think I could totally get addicted to it. So, I am going to try it out.:)

The kids' new school is a short walk from my home and I love being this close to them. Since I am the PTA mom, I can be involved with the school much easier.

I would love to hear any other suggestions on how to save money here and there. Please post a comment, all ONE of you! ;)

Oh my Kai-Kai

Kai's step-mom, Tasha, texted this cute pic of Kai!

Oh this boy.... ahem, I mean, little MAN! He has been in Salt Lake visiting with his dad for 53 days now. It is always hard without Kai here. Tyson and I can handle it, although we miss him terribly, we know he needs that time with his dad.

Ashtyn, on the other hand, does not understand why her brother has to leave for two months in the summer. She gets SO lonesome and it breaks my heart to hear her say how she misses her brother. It also warms my heart as well to see the love they have for one another. We were looking at videos of Kai when he was a toddler and Ashtyn said, "I will always love my brother." It was SO sweet. Kai is always calling and talking to Ashtyn and I just love their sweet relationship. Don't get me wrong, they fight hard with one another, but they love harder. :)

Since Kai is never here for Ashtyn and Tyson's birthdays in July, we throw them a joint birthday party in Salt Lake when we drive there to bring Kai to his dads house and visit family. This year, we did this and that way Kai and my in-laws are able to celebrate their birthdays even thought it is usually a month or so early, it works out perfectly, I mean, who doesn't want two birthday celebrations?? This year, a few days before Ashtyn's actual birthday, we checked the mail and there was a big envelope with hearts all over it addressed to Ashtyn. I had no idea about this and I figured it was from one of my sisters, I brought it inside and I decided to let Ashtyn open it, it was from Kai and it was the SWEETEST birthday card. Also inside the envelope was a book called, "Purplelicious" the card read:

"You are my sister, it's my job to tease you! Happy Birthday!"
and Kai had hand-written this:
"Happy Birthday Ashtyn! I miss you and I miss teasing you! I love you and I will see you in 30 suns ups. Love Kai-Kai"

It was so sweet that of course, I teared up. Ashtyn was SO over-the-moon that she called Kai right away laughing about what he had written and she thanked him.
I am so grateful to his grandma and his dad and step-mom for helping Kai send these sweet messages to us.

We want Kai home and I cannot wait until next Sunday!! YAY!!