Monday, June 23, 2008

Our week

This month seems to be going by so slowly for me for some reason. It must be these long summer days. I think the main reason, though, is because we are changing the way we are budgeting and so I am adding up every penney we have spent this month and figuring our budget off of that, plus I also know I can't really buy anything until the end of the month when Jon gets paid, so time is going by slower than normal, it seems. The reason I started accounting for every penney spent was because I noticed over the months we were not sticking to our budget and not even close. We were probably spending double. So for this month we have "somewhat" been watching our spending habits, so that I can base nexy months budget a little more realistically. I must be really messed up inside because I actually really enjoy budgeting. It's not really the act of doing it, but more of the high to know that we are this much more out of debt. We are planning on paying off Jon's student loan next month and I just cannot wait!! I know I am more excited than him, but that is just one more step to financial freedom!


Last weekend, me and the family just had to get out of the house. Jon just about had a heartattack when he filled up our car with gas, so we knew we couldn't travel anywhere far. We decided to head over to Temple square and also the Conference Center. I had never been on a tour and it was very neat. We also got to see the top. I am just amazed at how huge Salt Lake is and that it was once completely barren. I am truly grateful for my heritage and that my ancestors had faith to join the church. It is amazing how one person's decision effects a generation. Afterwards, we went to Leatherby's (we had to splurge a little) and got some dinner and a Swiss chocolate malt which is the best malt I have ever had.


At Leatherby's


Inside the Conference Center


Jaina has finally learned how to go down the stairs. It doesn't make me as nervous as when she tries to plunge over the edge head first.

She is also getting such a fun little personality! Yesterday at church, the man sitting behind us said that Jaina doesn't just smile, she flirts and that we better watch out for her when she's a teenager. She is so friendly to strangers. She smiles at everyone and with those baby blues, who cannot resist her? She also knows what she wants and if she doesn't get it, watch out! I gave her cheerios to munch on yesterday and that just wasn't good enough for her, so I gave her a banana and everything was just fine after that. I love her monkey expression!


Hunter loves Jaina and Jaina loves him right back. Wherever Hunter is, that is where Jaina wants to be and it gets kind of hard when Hunter wants to go play in the dirt. I just hope this lasts through their teenage years. Hunter also likes to hit Jaina and Jaina likes to hit Hunter when he hits her. It's a love hate kind of relationship.

If you are ever around Hunter long enough, you are bound to see his scary monster face and the monster noises. It is quite terrifying. Sometimes he even throws in biting and hitting.


Hunter just cracks me up. The other day, he grabbed Jon's phone, wallet and keys and headed towards the door saying "bye" He is such a little man.

He also love to jump off the stairs. I just love that he is so easily entertained! There are so many characterisitcs of children that I think I need to pick up on, like having happiness come so easily and forgiving so easily. My children really are examples to me.

Hunter also loves to play with our hose. He loves to water the plants and the garden, but mostly loves to water the dirt. Our yard is just full of all sorts of bugs and he just loves it and I think he loves even more to squash the bugs.

Jaina also started standing on her own the other day! Hurray! She'll concentrate until she is standing all the way and then she'll get the biggest smile on her face. I am so proud of her!









6 comments:

Camilla said...

You have the cutest kids!I love all the pictures and all the fun things you guys do as a family.I totally know what you mean about budgeting-I love it too!I love to know where every dollar is going and it's fun to try to make good meals ona budget.You are such a great example to me!See ya soon!

Beckie and Erick said...

hey mandi! you guys are so cute. that is awesome that you will have jon's loan payed off so soon! i'd be excited too!

JBPacker said...

Hunter & Jaina are darling. I thought of something really cheap and fun we could go do together. Lets meet at the Rec Center Pool or Park in Magna and the kids can swim and play. That Rec Center looks like it has everything. I'm going to check it out this week. Love Ya Jessie

Jen said...

Looks like you guys are having fun! I love Hunter's monster sounds and Jaina's flirtatious looks! She really does have those down! Congrats on the loan payoff!

TPacker said...

I, like Cami, love to budget as well. I love the fact that I can go to the store and not buy the things I really want because they are too expensive. I also love running out of money every month. Budgeting rules! I suppose someday we will bypass the threshold of budgeting and enter the world of living frugally. That is great that Jon is paying off his school debt. When we paid off my loan, it was so exciting because we could then spend that extra money on fun things like immunizations and tithing. By the way, it's cute when old ladies say that your baby girl is flirting, but when It's a dude, you might want to peruse the Utah.gov website. Great pictures, by the way.

JaNae said...

I am sorry, but I had to read the comment before me and I am still laughing histarically - where do our brothers get it from!! I love all the pictures, especially Hunter's face, it makes me laugh every time I see him and that monster face! I am so happy for you guys and the fact that you will be student loan free soon - yippee!!