Thanksgiving wrap up

Happy Holidays!

This is truely the most wonderful time of the year for me! I do wish we got a little snow, but I can drive not too far away and find LOTS of it! This year has been extremely cold all of a sudden. Which is quite unusal for us here in AZ! We're hoping all of our plants, that were finally starting to not look brand new (three years old), survived the drastic drop in temperatures... from highs in the 70's to highs only in the 40's almost overnight it seems!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. John and I hosted it at our house and had the BEST time getting everything ready, using all our fancy silverware and dishes, and most of all having the family at our house! They don't all make it over to our house at the same time very often. The turkey turned our perfect, after we finally got it unthawed and cooking. John's non-traditional stuffing and green beans were also delicious. Plus we learned last year that homemade cranberry sauce is so easy to make and tastes so much better! We also had chocolate pie of course, I secretly love that I've corrupted "the grandkids" because they all chose chocolate pie ;). This year we also made John's dad a pineapple pie. It was delicious and I kept my promise! Kami and Jenny both helped out tremendously by making rolls and mashed potatoes, both which were (and aways are) highlights of dinner and leftovers. It was by far one of my most favorite Thanksgivings ever!

CSN Stores Giveaway Results

Well, there you have it! Congratulations to the 'Lee Family' on winning this $35 gift certificate to CSN Stores! Enjoy, and be sure to let us know what you choose! Thanks again to CSN Stores for sponsoring the giveaway!

CSN Stores Giveaway

Well hey, everybody! Long time no see. How has it been so long? I'm increasingly shocked by how busy life gets.

Last time I mentioned we were trying out a product from CSN Stores. We decided to add another pan/pot to our increasingly (but slowly) growing Caphlon cookware collection. John LOVES it! (And I LOVE it because it makes him happy, and he cooks yummy food!)

CSN Stores has graciously offered to giveaway to 1 of you a $35 dollar gift certificate to use at one of their 200+ stores where they sell everything from shoes, to beds, to contemporary coffee tables! So I'm sure that whomever wins will be sure to find multiple things to suit their fancy... and if your anything like me it will take you hours to finally decide which 1 thing you want to get.

Here's how to enter...

• Be a Reyes' House blog follower
• Leave a comment on this post of something you would use the $35 gift certificate towards at one of the many CSN Stores

That simple!

If you want extra entries

• Spread the word on facebook or your own blog. (up to 2 extra entries, 1 each)
• Follow me on Twitter @erikareyes and @CSNstores and tweet about this giveaway. (up to 5 extra entries, 1 per tweet)
• Be sure to link to your tweet, facebook post, or blog post and leave a comment for each extra entry on this post.

This Giveaway will end on Friday November 19th at midnight MST.

Giveaway open to residents of the USA or Canada.

Have fun and good luck!

In the spirit of full disclosure, CSN Stores has provided this gift certificate for the winner. I have also received free gift certificates and purchased products with those gift certificates from CSN Stores. All opinions of the products and CSN Stores are my own and wouldn't be any different if I would have used my own money for these things.

Continue in Patience

Wow...was this ever something I needed today! Simple reminder that I'm not alone, that my Heavenly Father answers my prayers. Because today, I definately needed to be spiritually fed.



Continue in Patience

Day 22 - A Website

A great website out there is CSN Stores. I've partnered with them a couple of times in the past to do some reviews and giveaways that I've posted about on my other blog. CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from a platform bed to fantastic fitness equipment to cookware and even shoes! Plus, most of their items have free shipping!

They've contacted me again and I'm so excited to work with them to find something great to review! I'm having such a hard time deciding between their thousands of items. I'm thinking a rope swing now that it's cool enough to be outside, bean bag chairs for my classroom, more cookware, knives, kitchen gadgets for John, or be selfish and find me a great new pair of shoes. Head on over to CSN Stores and see if you find anything YOU think I should review!

Day 21 - A Recipie

Ok, I'm going to share my most favorite cheesecake recipie. Just know the cook time and temperature (at least in my oven) need to be upped to get a nice texture. Oh yeah, substitute chocolate where ever it says lemon, and you have an AMAZING chocolate cheesecake!

So the infamous Lemon Cheesecake from Betty Crocker.

Day 20 - A Hobby

I have several hobbies. I get sick of one thing and move on... (kinda like this blog). From everything like crocheting, scrapbooking, reading books, to video games, blogging, and traveling each are hobbies I rotate through. Right now I'm on a scrapbooking hiatus. Except I've been making photobooks for free from many different sites and counting them as my scrapbooks! I'd also add couponing to the list. John and I have gotten kind of addicted! This weekend us and 6 of our friends will be heading to the truck race for free! ($200 worth of free tickets.) Thanks Smiths!

Day 19 - A Talent

I have done many things throughout my life. Here are a few of them.

Music
When I was young I played the piano. In elementary school I wrote my very own piano piece and won first place in my school and district but came in fourth at the next level, and didn't continue. In fourth grade I started playing the clarinet. I continued that through high school where most people to playing an instrument MUCH more seriously than I ever did. I've always enjoyed singing. I sang in choirs at church and with children's groups for as long as I can remember. Singing harmony and reading music are two of my favorite talents.

Arts and Crafts
I've tried everything from sewing to card making to scrapbooking to crocheting and everything in between. I'm horrible at sewing. Ok at cards and scrapbooking, and since I taught myself how to crochet, I think I'm pretty good. However, I've learned that digital scrapbooking is so much more my style.

People Skills
I tend to be everyones llama. I get to hear about everyone else's problems. I'm ok with that, and I've been working on the art of giving sound, non-judgemental advice... Although that seems to be taking much more time to get consistently good at.

Teaching
This is the obvious one to me. While this year seems like I'm starting over I'm such a better teacher today then I was 6 years ago when I started doing this. I really enjoy the teaching kids part of teaching.

Overall I have no overwhelming, outstanding talents that wow everyone, but I have what I need to be great at being me!

Day 18 - My Wedding

Here are a few of my favorites from the day. June 7. It was incredibly hot that day. Especially for me... my face turns bright red if I'm outside in the heat for more than two minutes. (I swear it was 100 degrees, John promises it was only 95 ;)

We were married in the St. George LDS Temple on June 7 '03.

THe happy couple, just married and seald for time and all eternity! SUCH a blessing!

One of my cousin's girls. Now 7 years later, she's such a gorgeous young woman! (they drove 12 hours to be at our weeding and then we spent some time at disneyland with them on our honeymoon!

Probably my most favorite picture of John on our wedding day. I love how it TOTALLY shows off his personality!

A great picture of us!

Yet another great picture of my dad and I. I'm so sad that none of my siblings will get pictures like this on their wedding days! Love you!

Before the reception we headed to get some Bridals and STILL MORE wedding pictures at other locations.

My happy (goofy face-making) family before the reception... I can't believe how young all my siblings look/are! So crazy. It doesn't seem that long ago. (in December, the youngest will graduate from High School!)My brother with the garter.... which he caught at both the receptions!

Day 17 - An art piece

See this post, for my very most favorite piece of artwork EVER!

Day 16 - A Song that Makes you Cry

Probably the song I cry most when I hear it is this one. It's my mom and I's song. Every time I hear it I think of her. Think of being a kid. I also think of all the perfect times this song has played randomly on the radio when I needed to know she cared but she was far away. Love you mom.

Day 15 - Dream House

I'd have to say, my current house is pretty close to perfect for my dream house. When we talk about moving, I cry at the thought of leaving behind my house! I wish the backyard was all done the way we wanted it and that ants knew their place was outside, not making a nest in my shirt on the floor overnight. But other than that, I really truely do LOVE my house! You can go back in the archives to see pictures, inside and out. They're older pictures, so you can use your imagination to invision now, three years later.

Day 14 - A Nonfiction book

Um... I don't really read a lot of nonfiction

Day 13 - A Fictional Book

Ok, so books are just WONDERFUL. My life revolves around children's books and you HAVE to go here to the new website of my ALL TIME FAVORITE read alouds. When I was teaching 1st grade these were the kids favorite! (my mostly hispanic student population)

Seriously, if you don't go check this out, I'll be so sad!

Day 12 - OCD

I'm OCD about a lot of things. Probably the biggest one is when it comes to professionalism, being spelling and grammar. I HATE when things that are published, e-mailed, printed without being proofread. I most especially hate it when it's me! I personally feel that spelling and grammar are easy to get a second opinion on before being sent, published, posted, etc.

Sometimes I get in a hurry and don't do it, then I notice it later and get all mad at myself. Especially, because I know how annoyed I get at others lack of spelling and grammar so I KNOW there are people that feel that about things I write.

Let's face it, if you want to be seen as unprofessional, it's easy to do and happens WAY too often. Let's proofread!

Day 11 - Recent Photo of Me

This was taken in July, in Indiana. Our way of introducing our new phones to all our friends!

Day 10 - Photo of me over 10 years ago

Sorry its not the highest quality, it's a picture of a picture in a book, taken with my cell phone no less.

This is a picture of my dad and I. I'm probably about a year or so old. I luckily have a TON of pictures of my dad and I. I'm SO thankful for that!

Day 9 - Photos I took

I take ALL kinds of pictures. In fact, it's one of my favorite hobbies. Here are a few of my favorite I've taken.

This picture was taken in May of this year. We were visiting my Aunt and Uncle in LA and they took us over to see the "Friendship Bell" ( I think it was a gift from Korea, but I could be wrong). It is looking out onto the Pacific Ocean and these purple flowers just begged for me to take their pictures!

This rose picture was also taken in LA in May but in 2009. It was one of the roses waiting to be planted on the LDS Temple grounds in LA. I don't think I've ever seen such a PERFECT rose!

This picture was taken in July 2009 when we went to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. By far one of my very most favorite pictures I have of John EVER! It wasn't planned or posed for. He wanted to venture out, and I was having a hard time with the elevation and heat, so I sat down while he hiked out. The thunderstorm rolling in was amazing as well!

This picture was taken in April (I think) 2009. We were on our way to the reception of a good friend of mine, and Provo canyon was AMAZING! Love this picture.

And of course, a San Diego picture! We love, love, love San Diego. This picture was taken at the Cabrillo Nation Monument. It is a GORGEOUS place right where San Diego Bay meets the Pacific ocean. We walked down to the tide pools, but we got there at high tide. So I have pictures of crashing waves instead of barnacles and starfish. Seriously, a very neat place to go visit!

Day 8 - Angry/Sad photo

This is the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. On our drive across the country we stopped here. I remember hearing about this when it happened. It is a beautiful memorial. I choose this picture because I'm angry that people would be so cruel and desperate to bomb something and kill innocent people and I'm devastated that so many people children included, lost their lives.

Day 7 - Happy Photo

This picture has THE BEST story and it makes me happy. Plus I didn't have to go searching for it!

This is my nephew.

And THIS is his story.

We were at dinner after Grandma Ginna's funeral and he came over to our table very sad. I asked him what was wrong and he said his mom wouldn't let him have any more dessert. I asked him what he wanted and he said Jello. I said, "You need to go tell your mom that Aunt Erika says Jello isn't dessert its a fruit! Grape, lime, strawberry, etc." So he heads off to tell his mom Aunt Erika's side of the story. They're all the way across the room from us and I don't hear what's going on but I do watch as their conversation ends and he walks back to the tables and loads up on Jello, with a HUGE smile on his face!

Win one for Aunt Erika! lol.

It was hilarious. Not to mention that he had almost EVERY type of Jello that was on the table. When I told him that Jello was mostly water and now he was going to have to use the bathroom a lot for the rest of the day, the look on his face was priceless! (that's also when he decided he should stop eating more jello)

During all of this I asked him if he'd ever had jello jigglers. And he hasn't. So one of these days we're going to have a jello jiggler date!

Day 6 - 20 of my Favorite things

This list is in no particular order and just like me is totally random... but what else would you expect from me?

1. national parks


2. chile rellenos from Los Lupes


3. my iPod touch


4. teaching children


5. waterfalls


6. math


7. my car (09 Dodge Caliber)


8. Tuffy


9. John's homemade tacos


10. John's homemade salsa


11. berries


12. bountiful baskets


13. amazing photography


14. mooshinindy.com


15. swagbucks


16. no dining out challenge (monthly)


17. mr. clean magic erasers


18. ice cream


19. reading a good book


20. naps/sleep/my bed (i think all of these count as one)

Day 5 - Favorite Quote

I don't know if this counts as a quote, since I'm just quoting myself but its:

"It's OK to make mistakes, that's how we learn. "

This is and always has been the mantra in my classroom. After all, if kids are afraid to make mistakes, how will they try anything new, or difficult? Besides, I have to have an *excuse* for why I'm always making so many mistakes!

Day 4- Favorite Book

Of Course my favorite book is a Children's book. And again, there are SO many to choose from. However, this one takes the cake.

David Shannon's Good Boy, Fergus!

If you click on the link and then look at this picture of Tuffy, you'll soon see why!

Day 3 - Favorite TV Show

So I know this show hasn't been on for a while, but the reruns are. It's clean and hilarious. Nothing's better!

Reba (here are some bloopers)

Day 2 Favorite Movie

Ok, so did you think that I wouldn't pick a Disney movie?

If so then you're SO wrong.

The problem is picking WHICH Disney movie! There are so many GREAT ones! Like Finding Nemo, Mulan, Cars, and Emperor's New Groove. Or think of the possibilities when you take into consideration the live action Disney movies like Cool Runnings, Enchanted, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Mary Poppins, or NEWSIES! However, in recent years, Disney and I have had a very similar mind track when it comes to movies Ratatouille, Wall-E, Meet the Robinsons, and UP.

Seriously... how DOES one (like me) decided? How can I pick just one of these movies? Most people I'm sure have never seen half of them, and the half that has, most likely, doesn't think as highly of them as I do.

However, I did choose. I choose Meet the Robinsons. Maybe it's because its about the importance of family, or the adoption undertone, or the T-Rex scene. However, the part of the movie that I relate to the most is the underlying theme "Keep Moving Forward". I think I love it even more because it's a quote straight from Walt Disney himself. Watch til the very end, for the quote and listen to the lyrics of the song.

And this song...my #2 most favorite.

Day 1-Favorite Song

So I know, I know, I'm an adult with NO children. I get it. However, those people at Disney know how to write songs that get a message across. Seriously my last few (ok maybe all, ever) of my favorite songs have come off of Disney movie soundtracks.

If you haven't seen The Princess and the Frog you should! It has a great message about family, getting your priorities in order, and "Digging a Little Deeper" to find out who you are. This is my current favorite because it fits the place I feel I am at in my life right now. Enjoy, and know I'm watching the entire movie, cause it's amazing!

So here's my favorite song "Dig a Little Deeper" off the Princess and the Frog soundtrack.

(and sorry, you'll have to click over to youtube to listen because all the clips had wouldn't allow me to embedd it)

I'm Back... I think!

So many of the blgs I read have either done this in August or will be doing it in September, so here goes nothing! Maybe if I get back into getting on the computer (instead of using my iPod touch or smart phone) to use the internet, I'll actually start blogging again. I just haven't wanted to get off the couch and come into the office. I'm going to blame it on the fact that our office is 10 degrees warmer than the rest of the house ;).

So over the next 30 days here's what you'll see from me.

Day 1 - your favorite song
Day 2 - your favorite movie
Day 3 - your favorite television program
Day 4 - your favorite book
Day 5 - your favorite quote
Day 6 - 20 of my favorite things
Day 7 - a photo that makes you happy
Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9 - a photo you took
Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 11 - a photo of you recently
Day 12 - something you are OCD about
Day 13 - a fictional book
Day 14 - a non-fictional book
Day 15 - your dream house
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
Day 18 - my wedding/future wedding/past wedding
Day 19 - a talent of yours
Day 20 - a hobby of yours
Day 21 - a recipe
Day 22 - a website
Day 23 - a youtube video
Day 24 - where I live
Day 25 - your day, in great detail
Day 26 - your week, in great detail
Day 27 - my worst habit
Day 28 - what's in my handbag/purse
Day 29 - hopes,dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - a dream for the future

Good Things to Come

Love this... and totally needed it today/lately. Sometimes the road ahead looks too long and hard. Sometimes the waiting is too much. But there are good things to come.

200th Post Here to Save you TONS of Money!

WOW! I cannot believe I've posted 200 times on this blog... OK, yes, some I cheated because they were 150 characters long updated from my cell phone, but still, 200 posts is a big deal! Thanks to those of you that have stayed around from the beginning, new readers, and those that stopped reading a long time ago when I decided to take months off at a time! I appreciate you all and LOVE all your comments and support!

I figured I would FINALLY answer some questions that I get asked a lot by readers, friends, and family about how I save money and get so much free stuff. Just so you know this post will be linked to MANY other blogs and websites. Check out the ones that interest you. I'm getting nothing out of this from any of them, but am LOVING the services they offer and want to share that with all of you.

Where do you get all your coupons?
I don't get the Sunday paper. All of my coupons I sign up for from the individual stores or manufacturer, or I download them off the Internet from the following websites:
coupons.com
redplum.com
smartsource.com (these three are all linked through grocery smarts)

These two sites load coupons right to your Kroger affiliate store shopper loyalty card (Smiths for me):
shortcuts.com
cellfire.com

Also be sure to check out:
Box Tops for Education (while your there you can support Beaver Dam Elementary if you don't have a school of your own to support)
Pillsbury
Betty Crocker
All You Magazine is full of coupons but also offer exclusives on their website allyou.com
CVS.com
Snackpicks.com

Where do you find out about deals?
These are all the deal blogs in my google reader feed... You DEFINITELY don't need to read all of these, I've kinda gotten attached to the people behind many of these blogs so I keep reading them all, but picking 1 or 2 is probably MORE than adequate for getting ALL the deals there are to be had out there!
A good place to start is probably The Frugal Map.

This is the COOLEST thing since sliced bread! It's a combination of all the best couponing/deal websites organized by state! BRILLIANT I tell you! So if none of the following are in your area then check out the map and see what's around. Seeing as I live in such an interesting (state wise) location its easier for me to just use nation wide people :).

Shauntell I've met in person, and actually she is who got me started with couponing and grocery smarts. Oh grocery smarts how I love you! Click on "The List" for your area on Sahuntell's site. Then choose your store. Then the list will tell you what items you should stock up on at your local stores this week. It combines store sales and coupons in an easy customizable list form to save you the most money!

Stephanie is from Texas and posts the weekly deals for national chains like Albert sons and Kroger she is also in to filling us in on the latest freebies out there.

Tiffani is from Georgia and is a real inspiration as to what couponing can do for your family.

Tara is an AMAZING blogger and couponer. She lives in Ohio. She and her hosted forums are probably the most comprehensive resource I use. And I haven't had a chance to use her coupon database yet, but I have a feeling it's going to be one of my new FAVORITE things :)

Mercedes does a great job of covering deals across the country. She is one of my favorites and always is so organized!

Sarah is from Idaho ( I think) I know a lot of her deals/posts mention stores in Boise and Caldwell so I made the assumtion. She's about ready to have baby #4 and her husband helps her out, which I love!

Kaley and Wes just moved to Pennsylvania for Wes's new job. These two save SO much money. One day... one day, I'll be that good!

Last, but definitely not least, my new favorite...
Couponing to Disney Kristin is earning money to take her family to Disney World. Every time she saves money she puts what she saved into the Disney fund. (When I get really good at this WE are SO doing that!) Her Welcome Post is worth reading and I should've probably just directed you there instead of typing all of this up.

How do you get so much free stuff?
Besides signing up for EVERY free sample I find out about from all the ladies and gentlemen listed above here are some other things I do.

YouData This is by far my favorite FREE money website. They deposit what you've earned into your paypal account every Friday, even if it's only 7 cents. You won't get rich quick off of YouData, but consistent change from here every week really adds up fast! I figure I can use this money to purchase songs off of iTunes or Amazon and then I don't have to feel guilty buying them :) I've earned $2.00 for checking it once a week and spending 10 minutes at the beginning filling out all the profile surveys. Not too bad for less than 20 minutes of my time!!




Swag Bucks This is a site that rewards you for searching the internet. I've been a member for about two months and have earned enough for $25 worth of Amazon gift cards. My goal is $100 or half a Wii. So at this rate, I'll earn it by September or so. If you decide to sign up and click through my link maybe I'll go for the whole $200 worth because I win swag bucks every time you do!
I search for everything and earn about 30 swagbucks a day by doing so. Just by having the toolbar I get at least 1 swag buck every day. Then I make sure I check out the no obligation offers for 2 or 3 more. They are always putting out free codes on twitter, facebook, and their blog too, so it's easy to get your swag bucks and earn prizes quickly.


WOWZA! That's a LOT to take in! And I have so many more things I could tell you, but I'm sure you'll find many more ways to make or save an extra dollar here or there with all of this information I've given you, and pretty soon you'll be schooling me!

New from Rob Gardner! (So excited!)

I love all things Rob Gardner has created. Joseph Smith the Prophet was my first exposure... It is BRILLIANT! He is Jesus Christ is equally amazing. Saints and Pioneers is beautiful. And this new one Lamb of God, I can tell will probably be my favorite so far!

Best so far?

This has for sure got me more excited than any of the other trailers for the other movies!

Lia Sophia Party!

Before I start my post I just have to tell Dana that the music is at the bottom now and doesn't start on it's own. I kept it there just for you :)

Over Christmas break while home in Indiana my mom received the spring/summer Lia Sophia catalog... Which she, my sister, and I proceeded to look through, drool over(pg 31 M), criticise for lack of photography skills(pg. 11 K or pg. 54 B), and of course laugh a the couple of pieces we found hideous(pg 60 letter D)! However, this being at least the 6th Lia Sophia catalog I've shopped through, it is by far my favorite!

So of course, I have to have a party, besides it's been a while since I've had one!

My mom's coming to town and conveniently the BRAND NEW Lia Sophia catalog will be available to order from on Monday :) Plus she has a ton of the new pieces to see and even better try on!


Therefore, on Thursday February 4, 2010 you are ALL invited to my house at 4:00 for yummy "after school snacks" and to try on FABULOUS brand new jewelry!


Don't live near me and want to join in the fun vicariously? Check out the Spring/Summer 2010 Lia Sophia catalog. And if you want to know about the monthly specials, check out the lia sophia facebook page.

***I promise not to hassle you about buying jewelry or throwing a party... However, don't blame me if you find yourself drooling over/dreaming about jewelry.***


Due to new rules and regulations I should inform you that I am not being paid by anoyone to write this nor am I recieving any products beyond what a usual party hostess would recieve.

Logan is home!

I don't know how we survived the last two years without Logan's comic relief... but we sure were glad he was home for Christmas. Most of you know (since maybe 10 of you actually read my blog) that Logan was serving in the California Riverside LDS mission for the last two years. He got home December 1st. He's adjusted well: back working at his old job, dating the lovely Liz, teaching primary, and just plain goofing around.

I have two separate stories to share that just MUST be documented so I can remember how hard I laughed.

Scene: Christmas day playing Cranium with the 2 sister and 2 elder missionaries with my mom, Tanner, Dana, and I.

The question is "Who did Time magazine name as the most influential person of the 20th Century?" The team begins discussing the answer for said question when we hear Logan yell "Toilet paper! I need some toilet paper." So my mom runs upstairs to get him some. When she comes back down she finds Logan isn't in the bathroom. He's actually in the family room and had been in the kitchen and heard the question. He actually had said "Toilet paper... The guy who invented the toilet paper!" We all laughed so hard. Hilarious! Great comic relief!

Story 2
Scene: A bunch of us in the kitchen eating lunch. Logan just walked in and grabbed a tissue.

Everyone else: carrying on various conversations
Logan to everyone after using a tissue: Aw Dang! What is that awful smell did you spray something?
Mom: What's the problem?
Logan covering his nose with the tissue: Seriously!!! It's following me, its awful! What is that smell!
Mom: It's the tissue.
Logan: Crap! That is AWFUL! What kind of whack tissue is that?

Needless to say, my mom bought herself Vicks tissues to help clear her out. After his experience and us making fun of him for it, he tried to get EVERY other person that walked into our house to try a tissue to see their reaction.

SO glad Logan is home!


PS Stephanie and Lindsay... I need you to change my e-mail for your blogs so I can read them!!!! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!