My first Coupon Haul

I finally did it. I took the time to clip a few coupons, look at the flyers, then I made an organized list and headed off to Wal-Mart.

I price matched a few items which is where you use the sales add from another store's price that is cheaper. Say for instance, today, Betty Crocker cake mixes that are normally priced 1.28 at Wal-Mart, were in a sales flyer for .77!! So I got 4 of them!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another great deal was Gain detergent. It was normally 6.68 at Wal-Mart but was on sale at another store for 4.55. I also had a 2.00 off coupon which I used and SCORE.....I paid 2.55 for Gain detergent!

I also got some Dr. Scholl's massaging gels with a 3.00 of coupon that I paid around 5.00. And a buy one get one free Lady's Speed Stick deodorant.

Lastly, was a money making deal on KY Jelly. Don't laugh. There are alot of uses for this stuff!! Anyways, I had a 3.00 off coupon and it was 2.18 regular price at Wal-Mart! That's a money making deal of .82 which was applied to my bill. Every little bit helps!!!

With price matching AND coupons, I saved just over 20 bucks. Not too shabby for a first haul in my opinion!!! :)

I want to thank Collin at Hip2Save for taking the time to share these deals and inspire me to start trying to find ways to save money on items we need anyway for my family!

I think I could get addicted to this saving money thing!

Helpful Blogs I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

I found a few new blogs I LOVE and ADORE!!!

Due to the economy and time crunches of being a momma, nurse, teacher, financial planner, dog trainer, professional gymnast, and lover of life, I have begun trying to find ways to make life easier. I have decided coupons and crock pots are the answer. :)

Hip2Save is a sweet little gal named Collin that keeps me up to date with all kinds of coupons and savings in my area. I have become a SERIOUS couponer now because of this site. Check it out!

Skinny Crock pot is another great blog. I actually get most of the recipes I make from them from Facebook. Just like their page and you will get to access all their recipes. If you have a "clean" recipe, you can even submit yours. They only accept "clean" and healthy recipes. They will explain that too. I have 2 of them in two crock pots as I type and my house smells A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

Then there are the Crockpot Girls on Facebook too. I have yet to try their recipes, but I know a couple of friends who have and have been very pleased.

Hope you check them out and let me know what you think!

Girl's WEEKEND!!!! NO KIDS< NO MEN!!!

Shannon flew down for a getaway weekend with Lisa and me. It was really fun and kind of neat being that it was Lisa's half way point on being finished with Chemo.

We didn't waste any time starting in on the fun! We began our trip at Tortuga's on the Island. Of course a trip to Galveston would never be complete without their warm salsa and homemade guacamole table-side....yummo!!

Next, we went shopping all over the island until our room at the San Luis Resort and Spa was ready. We wanted so bad to get to that pool!!!

We were fine sitting in the rocking chairs at Murdoch's enjoying the wonderful weather. It couldn't have been ANY better. Blessed by God above for our wonderful weekend, for sure and for certain!!!!

We had a blast! We played Phase 10, which I'm pretty sure I lost every time, layed out by the pool, shopped, napped, played more phase 10 and ate out....ALOT!! It was a fun time and I can't wait for us all to get together again.

We even taught a parrot how to say, "HAWAII"!!!!! and we sang "We are the Champions" to a lady who beat the snot out of her man in tennis!! :)

My Surfer Girl

Last Saturday, I took Kasey to surfing lessons. She LOVED it!! She and her friend Lacy got up on the little waves SEVERAL times in the 2 hour lesson. Brian, from C-Sick Surfing was amazing! He's been surfing over 50 years and could even speak "surfer speak". You know, like narly dude, and balooie bra... Anyways, so now my girl wants to be a surfer. I am searching high and low for a board I can afford! Those things are EXPENSIVE!! The one they learned on was a soft-top board and they are more economically affordable. All in all, it was a beautiful day. The waves were "beginner" waves, per Brian. I was just amazed they were able to surf them at all!!!!!

BOOT CAMP!!!!

Hey all!

I'm super pumped because it is almost that time of year again!!! My Boot Camp will start September 7th through November 18th. That is 11 weeks to get your bootay in shape for the holidays!! (....and mine too....)

I have a ton of information to share from what I learned this summer. I am down 18 pounds and 4 sizes and several inches. So, what I am doing WORKS!!! I am looking forward to sharing this information with my Boot Camp ladies. Should be a great time!!

So, if you are wanting to join, just show up on the 7th. It is only 1.00 per workout so 2.00 per week. Yep! We will be at First Baptist Galena Park Gym at 6.00 p.m. Be there or be square!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Passport to Purity...An Amazing Mother/Daughter's Weekend

I just returned from an amazing weekend with Kasey. We went on a mother/daughter trip to Beaumont, Texas.

Now, you may be saying, "Why Beaumont, and not somewhere like Padre?" Well, I will get to that in a second.

First of all, Beaumont has an excellent hotel called the Elegante!! We've stayed there with the basketball team and we knew it would be the place to stay. The first night there, I took Kasey to get her first facial. (Well, it is kind of a coming of age weekend...) You know what she told her dad on the phone? "I think I could get used to this!" I laughed out loud on that one!!

The premise of Passport to Purity, is to get away with your daughter to have "the talk." Yes, that's THE talk. I have been planning this trip for about a year I guess. I listened to all the cds, had all the little projects ready, etc., etc. AND, I was scared to death!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Little did I know, what an amazing time together we would have. The cds do alot of the "tough" work for you. They give you much of the "talking points" that are so important to cover. She worked through a little journal and has it to look back upon now. We laughed....ALOT! Kasey asked alot of GREAT questions that I was glad to answer. And, we made great memories. And, you know what? It ended up not being scary at all!!

On one of the days, you have a whole afternoon do something very special with your kiddo to make it memorable. So, since Kasey wants to be a cake decorator when she grows up, I was blessed to be able to get in touch with Dena Bryngelson. She is a fabulous cake decorator that won the Ultimate Cake Off. (Which Kasey saw and decided then and there she needed to go to her bakery.)

Well, I emailed Dena just to see if I could swing by with Kasey to take a few pictures and maybe get an autograph. And you know what she did? She asked if it'd be okay for her to play "cake" with Kasey on the Saturday we would be there!!!

I was in SHOCK! It was amazing how it all worked out. Dena is a very busy lady and flies around doing cake demos all over. She just happened to be in town for 4th of July weekend because she was celebrating her 20th wedding anniversary!!!

So, I took her up on it and took Kasey to meet her. It was definitely a highlight of the weekend! She helped Kasey decorate a beautiful cake with all of Kasey's favorite colors and she gave her tons of insider tips! It was SO fun watching the two of them together.

She gave Kasey an autographed apron from her shop and even gave her some cake decorating tools to help her get started. The time with her was priceless!!!

To watch Kasey soaking up everything she was saying, and to see my little girl seemingly all grown up was really wonderful!

I thank the Lord that he orchestrated it all! Dena is Christian lady and I highly recommend her if you can order a cake from her!! The one she and Kasey made is incredible!!!

I also highly recommend Passport to Purity! It's for boys (dad's take them) or girls!

Thanks Dena for blessing us in such a mighty way!!!

Fitness Ridge Results

Well, I have been very busy since I've been home working hard to apply what I learned at the Biggest Loser Resort and Spa.

First of all, the experience was amazing. Shannon and I had an excellent time. It was HARD work. We hiked every day for 3 hours then we came back and worked out another 4 hours a day at the resort. The trainers were amazing as were all the wait staff and hiking guides.

The best information I learned was something I've heard all of my life. Calories in, calories out. That is the basics and the truth that works.

At the resort, you test out on Sunday after your week there. My results were that I lost 6 pounds and 8 inches. The trainers told us that the weight loss usually continued for most people the week they got home. It happened for me as well. I lost another 4 pounds the next week. Since then, I have lost 5 more pounds.

I have wrestled with gaining and losing the same 5 to 7 pounds FOREVER! But this time, I feel like I have the tools to get fit and stay fit and healthy!

How wonderful that I now have this information!! I love it!!! I'm so excited and grateful that I got this opportunity through my best friend Shannon to go to such a place. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

Fitness Ridge Count Down!! 18 days.....

I have 18 days before I head off on a jet plane to Vegas and then drive over to Utah. I am really beginning to feel the nerves! I haven't flown in soooooo long! I will just have to take some Drammamine and knock my butt out so I don't get sick from nervousness. I have such a finicky stomach!

I am looking forward to the trip though! It will be so much fun going with Shannon. We compliment each other so well. We are alike in many ways, but different enough that we don't get on each others nerves. Does that make sense??

I think we are going to spend our first night in Vegas cuz I've never been. She has though and knows just where to take me. I'm excited!! She said she won 1800.00 in penny slots last year! Is that really possible?? I guess so! Haha. I am not a gambler, but are slots really gambling?? I guess you can justify anything if you try hard enough. Haha.

I am more about the photo opportunities than the gambling aspect. They'd see me coming anyways, and I'd lose everything!

Ok....I plan on running intervals at the track tonight. I am trying to maintain my fitness to a point where I do not die in Utah!

Paws in the Park 1K Fun Run...Kasey took 1st place!

I am so pumped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


This morning we jumped out of bed and hauled over to the Paws in the Park Fun Run in Pearland, TX.


My daughter who is 11, BEGGED me to let her run with her dog in the 1k there today.


Well, she took first place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She won the girl's division with a time of 6:40. She beat everyone else by 4 minutes!!!!!!!!!


SHE DID SO AWESOME! I am so so so so so proud of her! This is a little one that "hated" running, but for some reason, it has suddenly "clicked". And she's loving it!


She was really proud of me for completing the 1/2 in Dallas and even text me while I was running that "Carr's aren't quitters!". I've always told her that. :)


My husband too has gotten on board with getting healthy and has been lifting weights and wants us to enter some 5K's as a family.


Not to toot my own horn or anything, but all this has come about after me completing the half. I think they are both so jazzed that I finished it even with a bum knee and all. I am so happy that my family wants to be healthy and I didn't nag them to get there. Just me being me! :) :) :)


Still on cloud nine for that sweet thing!

Dallas Rock n' Roll Half Marathon.....my journey

Shannon and me after the 1/2 marathon!!








Well, it is finished. On a cold Sunday morning in March, I loaded a crowded bus to shuttle over to the starting line with my best friend Shannon by my side. The adrenaline was pulsing, but the nerves were too. So...of course I popped my favorite drug of choice....IMMODIUM!!!

When we got there, we grabbed a banana and some trail mix for the road and started stretching. I was way nervous!!! I watched as the sun came over the buildings of Dallas and saw that it was going to be a glorious day. As the corralls were started, we were left waiting and waiting as we were the last group to go out. We were with the Transformation group, and Bill Phillips was shooting footage for his T.V. show and wanted us all coming out together. I looked around and was amazed at all the wonderful people I would be running this race with! Champions in life and in their transformations. People who were there "Being the Change" to the world around them. It was very inspiring!

The plan from Bill Phillips was to run the first mile in a group with Transformation, so they could get footage, then everyone was let loose to run their own races. My little group consisted of Me, Shannon, Josie, and Katrina. We all had decided way before racing day that our goal was to finish the race and make some memories along the way. And that is just what we did.

Our first stop was the first set of port o' potties that had lines out the kazoo. (Amazing how the nerves hit you....) So....we trucked on over to the McDonald's where there was NO line. Of course, I have pictures of that. :) Little did I know, these girls would have to pee at just about EVERY port o' potty they came across. Amazing.....

Anyways, off we would go again. Something I found funny was all the clothing that riddled the grass along the route. People were shedding clothing as they warmed up on their run. I wondered if some would have any clothing on there was soooo much on the grass for the first 5 miles or so!

By around mile marker 5, we decided it was time to start documenting this run. We stopped at every mile marker through mile 9 I think, to take a group picture. They are hilarious to look back upon now and I am so glad that we did it. By the way, the time shown was not our actual time, but the time started by the first corral. Remember, we were the LAST corral so our time started when we crossed the start line.

At the half way point, the little cheerleaders were yelling that we were half way. It just so happened it was also a watering hole, so I pulled out my phone and called Dan. He wanted to be there, but had just returned from Austin and the state bball tourney. Anyways, as I called him the emotions began to rise. I did not understand the emotions. I think it was the sense of accomplishment that I could almost taste. Anyways, I told him I really just needed to hear his voice. He didn't let me down. He told me the half way point was huge and we were going to be so happy when we crossed that finish line. He was ready to drive up if I needed him. That was all I needed to hear. He doesn't know how much his words of encouragement helped me motor on to the end. It was hard to explain, but I did my best when I got home. *evil grin*

At mile 9, my bestie hit a wall. I don't mean litterally, but figuatively. She was ready to throw in the towel and say forget the whole thing. Her shins were giving her fits and at mile 6 she had tripped and rolled her ankle and hurt her foot. That she hopped back up at mile 6 and kept going, amazed me. Anyways, I didn't even want to begin thinking of all the things that were hurting on me, so I asked her if we walked to a certain point then tried to run again if she thought she could. Of course, she said she would try it. Once we got to the point to start running again, she still thought she couldn't go on. I told her we were finishing this dang thing together come Hedes or High water!!! She kept wanting me to leave her behind. She was really feeling rough. Before we knew it though, we had hit the 11 mile marker and caught back up with our friend Josie. Katrina was way behind us. Anyways, we fell into a rythym of walking for a few minutes then running for a few minutes. Each time, Josie and I would run way ahead of Shannon who was doing everything she could to keep moving forward. At this point, we were all starting to feel really gimpy. It never crossed my mind to quit. Ever. But I was in pain and alot of it. My hips, my knees, my feet....I even had a headache. But I refused to focus on any of it. I just focused on finishing. Period.

Well, we finally passed mile marker 12 and started hearing people that had already finished the race telling us we were almost there. At this point, my friend Shannon shouted, "Who the heck moved mile marker 13??????" LOL! We all died laughing at that and just kept on trucking. Finally, we rounded the turn and saw the finish line about 200 yards away. I never felt so excited to see the end of anything in my whole life. So, Josie and I took off to the finish line with Shannon right beside me. I was pumped and running on the adrenaline of the Transformation team shouting for us to bring it home. Just as I was about 4 steps from the finish line, I turned to look at Shannon to tell her we did it, and she wasn't there! I looked over my shoulder and she was still about 150 yards back, limping and walking. I could tell she was crying. He shoulders were slumped forward and she was just hobbling one foot infront of the other.

So, I did what any friend would do. I turned around before I crossed the finish line, and I went back to get her. I grabbed her hand and as the tears began to flow freely, I told her she had it in her to finish this thing strong. And that is just what we did. We finished strong.

We weaved around those walking past the finish line and we crossed it running. Together. Then, the real tears came. Tears for accomplishing something I never dreamed I would ever be able to do. Tears for my friend, who was hurting so badly, but finished it strong anyways. Tears for my husband, who I was missing so badly. Tears that my mom couldn't be there....one of my number one fans. Tears, tears, and more tears. It was uncontrollable. I haven't cried that hard in a long, long time. But you know what? I was happy. I was victorious and I finished the race.

That is how I want to finish my life. I want to finish strong. I want to run the race and fight the good fight. I want the Lord to look at me one day as my mom and dad look on and say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." I know there are somedays I fail at being that. But I think if I can just keep motoring forward and if I can encourage just one person each day, I pray I will reach that goal.

Was it hard? Yes. Was it worth it? Every step. Will I ever run another one? At this point I'm going to say heck no!

I am still crippled (my knee has always given me issues), and I am going to have to be creative with working out this week. But know this, I am glad that I did it. I am glad that I finished strong with my friend Shannon by my side.

Thank you Lord, for bringing me through!!

"Run Forrest, RUN!!!"

Could it be? One week from today, I will be running a 1/2 marathon. Me. Run. 13.1 miles. Holy Smokes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The butterflies have already begun and I am sure I will be a complete mess at the beginning of the race.

Am I ready? Well, as ready as I will ever be. Am I excited? Um....I guess so. Am I nervous? Definitely.

My stock I bought in Immodium will be paying dividends that day I am sure.

After getting through the start of the race, I expect to settle in and do my thing and just enjoy the run. I just want to finish in the appointed time which is 4 hours. If I come in under time, that will be icing on the cake.

It should be a fun run. Lots of my friends will be there too, and my bff Shannon will be by my side. She will be there to wipe the slobber off my chin when I have no energy to do so. LOL!

I pray I can be an example to others while in Dallas. (I know. I know. I am running on Sunday of all days, but I can still be an example!) An example of what it means to be a loving wife, mother, and a daughter of the King. I pray for openings in which to share these things with other wives and mothers who may be struggling. I am looking at it as an opportunity for the Lord to give me an opening to share Him with others.

So, all in all, yes. I guess I am ready. I am excited. And yes, I am still nervous!!

Being Devinely Favored...

"God has blessed me to spend time and space with a man He designed Himself, just for me. I've not only been blessed, I've been Devinely favored." ~Madea's Family Reunion~


I heard this quote in Madea's Family Reunion and I played it back until I had it word for word.

So, I began thinking about how I have been Devinely favored. I know it is sappy, but that is how I feel about my marriage. I feel I have been Devinely favored and that the Lord has created me for Dan and Dan for me. What a blessing!!

I just love this quote. I love that the Lord loves me so much that He created someone to love me. Someone for me to care for and to care for me. Someone for me to pray with, worship with, someone to lead me through life. Someone to spend my days and nights with and someone to laugh with and cry with during good and tough times.

But, most of all, I love that God loved me enough to send His Only Son to die on a cross for my sins.

Now THAT is being Devinely favored.

A shocking surprise to say the least.....

Here's the deal ladies. I went and bought some really cute, colorful bikini undies as I have some others that are less than desirable. (I'm sure you can all say the same. Don't act like you can't either....)

Anyways, I opened those puppies up and began admiring my new, beautiful, colorful bikini briefs, and low and behold there was one pair in there that were not bikini style. They were more like boy shorts. I was perplexed so I looked at the front of the package to see if I had gotten a "bonus" pair I didn't know about, but it said nothing on the package.

I started looking at them and noticed they were a size smaller than the one's I'd bought and found that weird. I started to try them on and to my sudden horror..........

NOTICED THEY HAD ALREADY BEEN WORN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not joking. I am taking them back to Target and getting my money back. I am still dying over that one.

Can you imagine?? WHO does that kind of thing????????? Oh my gosh....I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.
__________________

Cookies and remembering my Mom....

Today I had my little great nieces over to make Valentine cut out sugar cookies. We had a ball! I've been doing this with Kasey since she was 2 years old and now she's 11. I decided it was time to bring in the young one's and start the tradition with them.

It was bittersweet as today marks 6 years that my mom went to be with the Lord. I looked around at the off spring that continues on and think how blessed we are. God is good.

I miss my mom, but I am thankful for the time I had with her. She taught me much but I still long to speak with her. I can't tell you how many times after she was gone, that I called her phone just to hear her voice. Then, one day I couldn't reach it anymore and I no longer had it to call and listen to. I was very sad.

But, as I was looking through a drawer one day, I found a tape she had made. It was to Kasey on her 1st birthday. My mom was taking piano lessons, and she played and sang happy birthday to her. The funny thing was....she was a terrible player and singer. She stopped and started and hit the wrong notes all along the way. By the time I finished listening to it, I was laughing so hard I was crying...but tears of joy!! God let me find it at just the right moment when I needed to "hear" from her. God is good. So, so good.

Here are some pics of today's cookie making. I was thinking of my mom the entire time. I love you still.

Lincoln Butler is here!!

Little Lincoln is here!! Kristina had him on February 3rd and we are all just smitten! He's adorable!!



Kasey is ready to babysit! She's wanting me to check into baby CPR classes for her. She's not messing around!! :)




Dan has a hard time sharing him too.


We are so happy for Chad and Kristina. They were married 2 months when Kristina found out she was pregnant. God's timing is awesome! He is here and already spreading joy into eveyone's lives!

So happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge

Wow!! I have been researching this place and I think it is going to be fun and VERY challenging!

It looks like the day begins at 6 a.m. (do people really get up that early and function?) and you are busy in some form of working out until 6 p.m. that evening! That's a whole lotta burning of calories!! :)

I am excited and nervous all at the same time. I mean, I still have a good 5 months before I get to go, but I am already beginning the work on my bod to be able to return and not die out there in Southern Utah!

Also, a friend of mine asked me to lead a fitness group at her church 2 days a week. Me?? Lead fitness???? Wowza....Well, at least it will be extra cardio! :)

I am very much looking forward to this trip and I am very grateful to Shannon and to Steve for the opportunity to do something like this. Oh yes, and to Dan too who agreed to let me go for a whole week. It should be a GREAT time away with a GREAT girlfriend!!

VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS!!! :)

I'm going on a trip....

Shannon called me on Christmas morning shouting in the receiver about the Christmas present her husband got her this year. An all expenses paid trip to The Biggest Loser Fitness Resort.

The kicker was, he bought me a ticket too!!!!!

So, on May 30th, to June 6th, the two of us will be in beautiful Southern Utah at The Biggest Loser Fitness Resort!!!!!

I'm still in shock and awe!

I've got TICKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (...thanks Kareena)

I am excited to say that I have tickets to the midnight showing of NEW MOON!

Well, I don't have them, but my friend Kareena got some for me when she bought hers!! How nice was that????

We are going next Friday to see Twilight at 9 p.m. and then we will see New Moon at midnight!

We did this last year when Twilight came out and it was such a blast!! I'll be seeing Kareena at bunco this Friday night and I'll pay her back then.

BUT, I'll never REALLY get to pay her back for thinking of me and getting me tickets before they were sold out! Kareena, YOU ROCK!!!

Love you girl!!
Karla

Trip to White Oak

Kasey and me at Grandma's before trick or treating.




The hayride with the cousins!


Kasey an I went to White Oak for her birthday and also for Halloween. As always, it was a great trip and lots of fun times with family.

Every night we were there, we had some place to be! Tuesday night we watched Tara win another District Volleyball game to become District Champions. Wednesday, we celebrated Kasey's birthday with a Halloween party and pizza. Thursday, Cassidy had a football game that they won. Friday, Caleb had a football game against Harleton that he won. Then Saturday, we had a hay ride for the kids while they went trick or treating for Halloween.

I wanted to rush home on Saturday night to surprise Dan, but my father-in-law nixed it. He thought it was too dangerous to drive home that night. I was glad I stayed though, because Kasey had a really great time that night with all her cousins jumping on the trampoline in the dark and playing hide and go seek. She absolutely loves it there!!

I'm glad to be home. Did I say that already? I'm not sure what next year holds for us....maybe we will be in White Oak full time.

Lots of praying ahead of us for sure.

Love and Hugs to all,
Karla

A surefire way to your man's heart...

Oh...my....gosh! I made something tonight that was out of this world good. I went to one of my favorite recipe sites, www.allrecipes.com, where I found a recipe for crepes. Vanilla crepes to be precise! Then, I took a recipe from my sister-in-law (thanks Karin) which was raspberry cream pie.

I made the cream for the pie without making the raspberry topping...although, it would be so good on these....and after making the crepes, I filled it with the filling. Then I topped it with strawberries I sliced and also blueberries. After folding them and dusting them with powdered sugar....I served it to my husband.

His exact words were, "I have fallen in love with you all over again....!" LOL!!

Well, I'll take that!