How far will you go for a good deal?

Okay, confession time!

I can't believe I'm writing this, but you will find this quite comical! Today, the quilting store was doing a Halloween sale. If you come in wearing a costume, you get 31% off! Yep, 31%. I couldn't believe it. So, I found the one and only costume that I have. Mind you- I have never worn it, but I have it. So, I put on my EVE costume, got a good laugh from my husband and off I went. Yes, you read right, I went the the quilting store as EVE. I will not EVER post pictures, so it's up to you to imagine how drop dead sexy I looked dressed up as Eve. Wearing a taupe colored body suit with leaves in 3 very appropriate places!

Anyway, you bet I got my 31% discount. It felt great checking out knowing that I saved myself $31. Was it worth it, don't ask, but I did get $31 off my purchase! Instead of spending $100, I only spent $69. Since I was getting a discount, and I found an adorable pattern for a skirt (for me) I bought the pattern and the fabric to make a TOTALLY Sassy skirt. And, I made the quilt shop workers day!

So, here is your question. How far will you go for a good deal? I want to hear stories!! Come on, you know you have one. I just told the world I dressed up as Eve. You can't top that, can you?

Happy Halloween All!
Sassy

P.S. I am up to 7 friends in Alaska. Can you believe it? I miss my friends so much!! {hugs}

20 pounds down, 10 to go!

Here is a quick update. I have 9.7 pounds to go. Very exciting!

Meet Burnette

There is a new member of our household. Her name is Burnette (It's a girl because we are in need of more of those around this house!) We obtained her when Aaron's parents came to visit. She is taking more of my time than I anticipated. Here is a picture....


I decided Maggie's quilt wasn't the first project I should do, so I picked out an apron pattern and materiel. Here is the finished product.

If you want to see what the pattern looks like, go here.
P.S. She is a Bernina. Burnette is just one of their lines. FYI

It's officially official

We found out late last night. It's official!

Captain Aaron David Lewis, M.D.
Internal Medicine Board Certified

GO BABE!!! I love you!

Jiame Martinez

Jiame Joseph Martinez 1965 ~ 2009

Jiame Martinez born March 1, 1965, our beloved husband, son, father and grandfather, returned home with all the angels Oct. 13, 2009 due to complications from surgery.He enjoyed fishging, playing sports and wrestling with Roman and Vinny Boy and going to Ute games with his best friend, Randy. Even though his physical heart was sick, his heart was full of kindess for others. He was always willing to help and always went beyond what was expected. Survived by his wife, Val; children, Chantel (Wes) and Vincente; grandson, Roman Jaymz; his mother Vicki Romero; brother, Frank Martinez, Jr. two sisters, Tammy and Loriann Martinez. Preceded in death by his father, Frank Martinez, Sr.; grandfather, Donald Romero; his father-in-law, Amarante Sandoval and aunt Gloria Malacara. Funeral services Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, 4501 W. 5215 South, Kearns. Dad, we love you to the sky.


Because Jiame was born with a congenital heart defect. Because of this, he did not qualify for life insurance. If there is any way you could donate to help this family in their time of need, it would be much appreciated. Make checks payable to Martinez Family Fund.

Mail to BNA Consulting
635 South State Street
SLC, UT 84111

Anything you could send would be helpful for this family. His wife
isn't able to work because their son is handicapped. My heart
brakes for this family!

Our rising Star

Yesterday, we had the priviladge to go to the Rising Star Assembly at Justin's school. He was nominated along with 3 others from his class as a Rising Star. He was recognized for knowing all 52 letters of the alphabet (Upper and lowercase.) We are very proud of him and all that he is doing. They had a reception after where all of us got to eat cake with all the other families. Go Justin!!

Colorful Cupcakes

A gal posted these on our cooking blog and I had to try them. They turned out FABULOUS! The kids loved them too!


Colorful Cupcakes

1 white cake mix
2 eggs
1 C sour cream
1/2 C milk
1/3 C vegetable oil


Combine all ingredients until incorporated (about 30 seconds). Scrape sides of bowl and then beat on med-high speed for 3 minutes. Divide batter according to how many colors you are using. I used 5 colors and it worked out to a little over 1 cup for each color. Use food coloring to color batter to desired intensity. I used a 1/4 t and they were very bright! You could easily make pastel rainbows using a little less.

To get a layered stripe like I used, you'll want to put a spoonful of each color in the cupcake one at a time. The batter is thick, so it won't spread on it's own. A great tip is to set out a little bowl of water where you're working. Dip your finger in the water and then gently spread the batter out. The water will make it so the batter doesn't stick to your fingers. Another tip is to use a measuring spoon and some water to measure out how many teaspoons/tablespoons are going to fit in your cupcake. Then divide that by how many colors you have so you know how much of each color to use for each cupcake. For my 5 colors, it worked out perfectly with 2 t of each color in each cupcake. So I put in 2 t of blue in the bottom of each cupcake and spread it out with my finger. Then I put in 2 t of green on top of that, then yellow, etc.

Bake them according to the package directions, until a toothpick comes out dry. Top with frosting.

Bitterness & Despair

I received a call from my parents a few hours ago and was told that a family friend of ours was taken off life support this afternoon. He is still alive, but hanging by a thread. My heart is breaking. More for my dad. Trying to find the words tonight to comfort the pain I could hear in his voice, but not being able to get past the pain in his voice.

Jiame was my dad's right hand man at work. He spent more hours with him at work than he did at home. Not a day went by that we didn't hear his name mentioned in some way or another. We have all grown to love him and his quirks. (Even if he did cheer for the Denver Broncos.)

I find myself sitting at my computer pleading with my Heavenly Father to keep him on this early. Let him spend a little more time with his kids and grandkids. I don't think he is even 50 yet. I will be nicer to my kids. I will read my scriptures more. But at the same time knowing that it isn't going to make one bit of difference. I am so far away and can't do one thing to help my family. Just this morning my mom and I were talking about ways we could raise money for him to get on the transplant list ASAP and now he is as good as gone. How does this happen? Sometimes, life is so unfair.

If only I could find a way to help my dad. I am at a loss, and I think that hurts the most. Maybe my brother can be the one to teach him the discussions on the other side, who knows.

So, this week, in honor of Jiame, I will be voting and cheering (dad - please don't kill me) for the Denver Broncos. But probably only this week. A girl can only give so much. Maybe Heavenly Father will let him stay longer if I vote for the Broncos indefinitely. What do you think?

Go Broncos! Win one for Jiame!

Small Update

Kennie – He is doing well in school but is daily upset by the "fun" homework Justin has and his homework is so boring. He complains daily about being the oldest, but usually just accepts that he can't change it. He likes to pretend he is the boss.

Justin – Thoroughly enjoys school. He is excited about his homework and doing very well with his handwriting skills. He is enjoying reading and is very close to reading chapter books. His favorite part of school is being able to check out a library book and read it home for us to read together. He has brought home books about Snakes, Whales and this week brought home one about an elephant and his 11^th birthday party. He started his allergy shots today and isn't very thrilled about it.

Nate – Well, it's Nate. What more can I say about Nate? He is as destructive as ever and doesn't seem to want to take a break from that. He does his best to keep up with the other boys. He even likes to "read" during their reading time after school. He will occasionally tell me he needs to go potty, but I haven't pushed it at all. I am not ready for that fight. Once he is potty trained, I am thinking about doing a home-school preschool group with a couple other gals in the ward. There would be 3-4 kids so I would only have to teach about one week a month. Totally do-able.

Maggie – Oh boy! She sure is cute!! But, she is in to as many things as Nate is. Always wanting to do what he does. She is talking like crazy. Her favorite words right now are: Costco (love this one), airplane, Mama, Daee, Nennie (Kennie), up, down, stuck and all done. She has learned the signs for help, please, more, all done and thank you. Having a girl is so foreign to me! I tell ya, it's crazy!

Aaron – he is alive! He just finished a week of nights and is trying to recover. Work is very demanding on his time and what he has left is spent on his demanding crazy wife! (Did I just say that out loud? This is Sassy – byw!)

Sassy – Well, I am alive. I have lost 16.5 pounds and have 13.5 left to go. I am so psyched. It has been a tough road, and I have earned every pound, but it feels so good. Once it is all over, I will bask in my glory and MAYBE have a Mountain Dew. That's a big Maybe!!

We are looking forward to the visit of Aaron's parents next week. We are trying to figure out some fun things to do in Alaska in October. We've heard that March and October are the worst months to visit Alaska. Hmmm….what to do? Any suggestions? Oh, and I am going to give myself props for the excellent photograph at the top of this post. Do you know how difficult it is to get all 4 kids to smile at the same time? I DID IT!!! I believe this maybe the first time EVER!! Anyway, off to figure out dinner! Ciao from Alaska!

Kennie's Homework

Kennie A. Lewis

After school I do my homework.
I read and do my spelling
packet. Then I play outside
with my friends. It is super fun.
Next I watch tv. It is my
favorite thing to do in the
whole wide world. When I start
watching tv I stare at it
for a long, long time. After
watching tv we eat dinner. I love
eating. Then we play for a while.
We play for twenty
minits. Next it is time for
bed. Yay! First I get my
pajamas on. Then I brush my
teeth. Next I say family
prayr. last I get in bed and
go to sleep. What do you
do after school?