Reflection & Eternity

Our life is a busy one. We may not be as busy as the next person, but we do seem to like going all.of.the.time...after all, it's just what we do. We plan for the next function, the next big thing, the next party, the next goal to be accomplished...

Sometimes it seems our planning is in vain. How plans over exciting things take up much of our thoughts and visions - and so much of our time. It's a joy to plan for fun things in life. But, what takes weeks and/or months of planning, always seems to be over just as soon as it began.

You know how I feel right? You've thought that before haven't you? Look at a wedding for example...months and months and months and money and money and money that has gone into preparation for it...flies by so quickly that you never even had time to soak it in.

Having a baby...planning on when to conceive, then dreaming of when you'll be pregnant, then being pregnant and planning on well everything that comes with it...what will you name her or him? What will the nursery decor be? What kind of delivery? Which doctor for you, hospital, pediatrician, etc.? Your new angel is finally in your arms and before you know it, you wake up and realize they are starting Pre-K, kindergarten, high school, bringing their first love home to meet you. The list goes on.

Oh how you wish you can slow the clock down and just soak up and remember all the details of this precious thing called life.

After all, God has given us this sweet life and He fully expects and wants us to enjoy it to the fullest.

But, as I'm reflecting today, I'm reminded of the planning - the eternal planning that I have so much opportunity to do - yet I continue to focus on the things that must seem or be more important to me. Not that planning on and raising my child is unimportant in the least! That is my job as a parent...and as the parent of the next child I am believing the Lord for right now. :)

I realize though what I am teaching E. What freedom and opportunity I have to teach her the process of that eternal planning. What we are here for...as children of God.

~ To know Him and make Him known. ~

Am I growing in Him DAILY? Am I soaking up every WORD He speaks to my heart? Am I operating in every GIFT He has placed within me? Am I using my FAITH to move mountains in my life? Am I "letting His little LIGHT shine" in me constantly so that others will see the Christ that I serve and want Him for themselves as well?

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?

Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

James 4:14 NLT

You see, our lives are but a vapor. Tomorrow, they will be gone...whenever our tomorrow is. Not saying that the planning we do in raising our children or planning for events in our lives are not important. But, my job on this earth is to know Him and make Him known. My relationship with Christ should be what keeps me awake, too excited to sleep at night. The thoughts that constantly fill my mind and abide my time should be of my Father. Where will He lead me next? What gifts will He show me tomorrow? Who will He place in my path next to tell of His love and salvation?

Our time here is temporary and the things I plan so hard for and lay awake with visions of at night will fly by so quickly. But, as long as I am in the process of eternal planning, my time with Him has just begun. (and will never EVER end.)

WHAT ARE YOUR ETERNAL PLANS?

Are you planning for eternity?

Wordless Wednesday

How old is this child? Oh my...

Are you singing?

The Bible says, "He inhabits the praises of His people." Let's praise Him for all the good things in our lives. "Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights..." "In everything, give THANKS!"

Are you singing?

I am waiting on answer to prayer ... but I am singing.

I have been betrayed here and there...we all have ... but I am singing.

I am ready to go home to my Father ... and I am SINGING!

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I would be overjoyed for you to leave a comment of your reasons for singing today.

K-4 ~ Where does time go?

Here is my punkin' heading out the door for her first day of K-4!

She was so excited and gave me a big thumbs up!

We were about to walk into her class and this was a look like, "Alright, mommy! Just one more!"

She did so good! It was familiar to her this year since she went there last year for K-3. She walked in, gave me a hug and a kiss and walked to her friends to play. I felt bad for feeling like she should have cried. :(

Growing up is hard on mommies.

Surveyhead Surveys

So I read a while back on someone else's blog about Surveyhead and looked into it. I know that there are a lot of survey sites out there that are a complete and total waste of time. They usually make you fill out endless forms signing up for offers and/or you take a survey only to find out they enter you into a drawing for something...I wouldn't waste my time!

This lady in particular posted proof of all of her payments from Surveyhead, as well as some other "legit" sites.

I decided to try and thought I had nothing to lose...right? This has been the only one that I've continually received money for and while you certainly won't make enough to break the bank...it does add up for a little spending money.

So today, I received my first payment from them in the amount of $28.70. When you go on the site and create a profile, you will fill out several forms that tells them about you and you will receive surveys daily to fill out. While you won't qualify for all of them, beside the survey it will have a percentage next to it that will give you an idea of how close you come to qualifying to take that particular survey. It will also tell you how long the survey should take and how much you earn for said survey.

Most surveys are for $1.00 each and take about 5-10 minutes on average...depends on how fast you are really. I know you are thinking you don't want to spend 10 minutes just to earn a dollar right? But it does add up!

You do have to have at least $25.00 in your Surveyhead account in order to cashout and after you take the survey, it will show "pending" for quite some time because they have to be reviewed.

The thing that helped me is that I got an email invitation to participate in an ongoing television survey, earning $10.00. I had to watch Entertainment Tonight for several shows and answer questions about those shows. Easy as pie...I like to watch the show anyway! Why not earn a bit for watching?!! :)

You will need a PayPal account to do this so they can deposit your money there. It is free to set up a PayPal account. I would also suggest that you create a separate (free) email for your survey account.

If you have any questions about this, just let me know. I don't receive any money for sharing this with you...BUMMER! :)...but I thought I'd spread the wealth...HAHA...

Now, what to spend my $28.70 on? Hmmm............

Happy Birthday Butterfly

From this... To this...

So quickly!

Wings

If I could, I would give you wings

to lift you way up in the air,

And you could find the rainbow's end,

because wings would get you there.

If I could, I would give you wings

to carry you out of the storm.

They would take you higher than the wind,

and you would be safe and warm.

Wings, little wings,

in the wink of an eye

Soon your little wings will be big enough to fly.

If I could, I would give you wings

to lighten your heart through the years.

They would flutter soft around you then

and dry up all your tears.

Wings, little wings

in the wink of an eye.

Soon your little wings will be big enough to fly.

I tucked you in last night with tears running down my cheeks. Some would think I'm silly, but you are turning 4 today. This is a big deal to me. You are now leaving "toddler-hood" and moving into the next stage of your sweet life. The 1's, 2's and 3's we will never get back. We only have those memories, but I embrace the joys, tears, frustration (smile) and everything else that comes with the future years. You will always be my baby, but you are now my little girl.

You, my sweet E, bring joy like none we've ever known! The responsibility to parent you is overwhelming so often...in that I know you don't truly belong to us. You are God's child and He loaned you to us while we are on this earth. He trusted me as your mother and daddy as your father. We are not and never will be the perfect parents, but we strive every day to please Him as we "raise you up in the way you should go."

I know that as we seek His direction, you will indeed fulfill the dreams that fill your little mind through the years. You will grow from the little precious caterpillar that curls up in my lap each night for prayer into the colorful butterfly that lives in the perfect will of God!

Lord, help us as the parents of this angel to never damage or hold her wings back. Equip us to do everything we can in this upcoming year and every one thereafter to prepare those wings to fly.

Happy Birthday E! Mommy and Daddy love you sweet baby girl.

Swimming and Sliding...

...into a new chapter of life.

It is summer and we are right smack in the middle of swim lessons again. It's so fun for me and neat watching how much she grows in this from year to year. This will probably be our last year taking them...but, then again who knows because she does so well with them. We didn't have to take them again this year, but I feel better now that she will be 4 this week (oh my!!) and can listen to the instructions of her teacher much more attentively. She's like a lil fishy!

She is in the class with another one of her church friends and you should have seen them on the first day! Screaming all over again! The second day, I had to chase her down as she was running for the gate and begging to go home and take a nap...anything to make us leave haha. But 5 minutes later, she realized this was not so bad after all. Third day into it, there wasn't even a whimper out of either of them. Not one tear since and today was day number 5. Infact, she loves the deep end...she has mastered the diving board and even went down the slide into the deep end. That is a little unnerving for me because she is so teeny tiny and gravity takes its' tole on her little body as she flies down the slide so fast. She almost appears to be taking flight and well...I don't encourage the slide myself, but it's all good! :)

Speaking of slides...We had her 4th birthday party LUAU this weekend and it was a BLAST! We set up this huge water slide in the backyard and the kids loved it. Honestly, I think the cake was no big deal in comparison. We asked E what her favorite thing was and it was most definitely the slide. Smart kid! The new toys/gifts went home with her, but the slide was only temporary.


Okay so daddy had some fun on it too! :)

The big 4th birthday is not actually until Wednesday so I am soaking up every single minute of what is left of the 3's. I cannot believe what a hard time we are having about her turning 4. At 4 years of age, they aren't considered "toddlers" anymore so we are closing one chapter yet again and moving on to another. I just can't get over how fast it does go by.

My baby... will always be... my baby!

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The picture above is the coffee that I got from Boca Java for ONLY $4.95 + FREE shipping! Can you believe this? That is a lot of coffee and good size bags too! Click on the link to read my post about it. I ordered the Boca Sunrise (2), Caramel Kiss Island & Vacation Villa Vanilla...and I cannot wait to try them. The bags smell amazing.

The Battle is the Lord's

One day a soldier, charged with fleeing from the enemy was brought before Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great asked him, "What's your name?" Dropping his head, he replied, "Alexander." Alexander the Great grabbed him by the shoulders and said, "Soldier, change your conduct or change your name!" You have been called to live a life worthy of the One whose name you carry. Regardless of whether the giant you face is addiction, resentment, fear, lust, pride, envy or anger, you must realize:

(1) You're not unique. Your temptations "are no different from what others experience" (1 Col 10:13, NLT). Goliath wasn't always a giant; he was fed and nurtured until he became one. Our giants are usually little sins we overlok and indulge until they assume a life of their own and come back to haunt us.

(2) You can't do it alone. Your giant will defeat you anytime you tackle him in your own strength. David told Goliath, "This is the Lord's battle, and he will give you to us" (1 Sam 17:47, NLT). You need divine help to overcome old habits and establish new behaviors. So, declare with Paul, "Christ...gives me strength" (Phil 4:13, NLT).

(3) You must confront your giant head-on. The Bible says: "As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran...to meet him" (1 Sam 17:48, NLT). Don't run away, don't try to negotiate, don't compromise and don't excuse! Force your giant out into the light and don't let him back into your life. Establish boundaries and make yourself accountable. Stay out of the wrong company!

Above all, don't look at God in the light of your giant. Look at your giant in the light of God!

~ Word for You Today

Boca Java Baby

So, most of you have heard of or tried Gevalia coffee before right? I found this information on another blog that I visit frequently and I'm excited about it.



Boca Java coffee...You can order (for a limited time) 4 bags of coffee ...your choice... plus FREE shipping for just $4.95! Hurry and order! I just set a reminder on my cell phone for about 3 weeks down the road to cancel my membership - if I want to. There are no obligations whatsoever after you receive your 4 bags!

I ordered myself the Boca Sunrise (2 bags), Caramel Kiss Island & Vacation Villa Vanilla.

You can hardly get 1 good bag of coffee for $4.95, much less 4 bags! Oh Oh and it is not roasted and bagged until you order! Fresh coffee...Yumm-O! :)

Forget Geico...I've got CVS

Man, I love this store. I love any store really because I love shopping. But, I love saving money all the more...

After all, "A penny saved is a penny earned." ~ at least that's what Ben Franklin thought!

In this morning's case, it was more than pennies saved...I had a great trip to CVS! Thought I'd take a minute to share.

This couponing stuff is certainly no waste of time. It works people!

I got a $10 tube of Cover Girl Lipcolor, 2 bottles of Dry Idea Deodarant ($5.29 each) and a honey bun...because I was hungry :)...

...for $7.06 - then I got $5 ECB back (Easy Care Bucks) on my purchases for a grand total spent of $2.06.

CVS also has their Right Guard deodarant on sale so I will be using $3 ECB on that, making that a FREE purchase! Then, I will get $2 more in ECB back on that purchase.

Who wouldn't be excited about this? About $28 of stuff for $2.06!

Tell me what ya think! Go here for tips and to find out how!

Our Thinking...His Promises

Our Thinking / His Promise...

It's impossible. / All things are possible. Luke 18:27

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I'm too tired. / I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28-30

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Nobody really loves me. / I love you. John 3:16

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I can't go on. / My grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9

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I can't figure things out. / I will direct your steps. Proverbs 20:24

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I can't do it. / You can do all things. Philippians 4:13

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I'm not able. / I am able. 2 Corinthians 9:8

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It's not worth it. / It will be worth it. Romans 8:28

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I can't forgive myself. / I forgive you. 1 John 1:9, Romans 8:1

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I can't manage. / I will supply all your need. Philippians 4:19

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I'm afraid. / I have not given you a spirit of fear. 2 Timothy 1:7

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I'm always worried and frustrated. / Cast all your care on Me. 1 Peter 5:7

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I don't have enough faith. / I've given everyone a measure of faith. Romans 12:8

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I'm not smart enough. / I give you wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:30

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I feel so alone. / I will never leave you or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Sweet Pea - and it smells gooood!

Check out this month's Candle of the Month... Sweet Pea!

The fragrance of this flower will take you to times past. Sweet Pea is a delicate and sweet floral, sure to become a favorite.

If you would like to request a sample of this scent, just leave a comment on this post. If you'd like to try this scent or any of our other products, just go here. You can also shop from my online shop.

Big Problem, Bigger God

Watch this video and then read below!

This is SO precious! If you are an animal lover, you are probably thinking that you can't handle this video. I was feeling a bit apprehensive over watching it through and I am so glad I did!



First of all, whoever added the sound effects to this...the little bear panting and all...did a great job. I kept thinking that the bear was gonna start talking any minute.

If you take a moment to view this story/situation in a spiritual manner, it will excite you! Was it not the cutest thing when the bear began to growl and 'holler' (for lack of a better word) at the cougar and he got more and more confident the further the cougar moved away? - He was feeling tough at that moment and thought it was him that was scaring the lion.

Little did he know, the cougar was seeing something much more big in the background...he saw that Mama Bear (assuming it was Mama) had come to the rescue.

Isn't that how it is with us? We get in a situation that we struggle to get out of, but we just haven't found the way of escape yet. Every road we take seems to lead us right back to that same problem. We think we are doing okay and then look up only to see ___________ (you fill in the blank) staring us right in the face - jaws open and ready to attack.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. ~ 1 Peter 5:8, NLT

But...just when we've reached the end of our rope and have nowhere else to turn, our Heavenly Father shows up to fight the battle for us! Sometimes we may know He's there and sometimes we may not see Him and we may even wonder when He will ever show up! It's then that we realize that we had an overwhelming strength come over us to fight the battle at hand...or a light bulb may come on revealing to us the answer to the problem we've been searching for all the time. Whatever it may be...He was there.

...for the battle is not your's, but God's. ~ 2 Chronicles 20:15, NIV

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. ~ Psalm 46:1, NIV

He knows how much we can handle. We learn through the journey, although it's a tough education! We do learn. We do grow. Most importantly, we should be growing in our walk with Him.

God is ready to fight the battle for us! We just have to be willing to show up for the fight. That little bear probably would have been torn to pieces by that cougar. In fact, he was consumed with fear and slightly wounded. But the battle was won because his DEFENDER showed up and simply made an appearance. We may get wounded in the journey and have scars that will never go away. Each glance at our scars will be a reminder that our God is a faithful God and He met us at the place in our lives where we needed Him most!

God is your:

FORERUNNER, Hebrews 6:20 (You don't have to worry about what's ahead. He goes out before you. Don't be anxious about the day. He is in front of you and beside you. He follows behind to protect you.)

ADVOCATE, 1 John 2:1 (You don't have to defend yourself. Rest and know that He's taking up for you! Turn your anxious and fearful thoughts to Him. He will reveal the truth in His time. Trust Him!)

STRONG TOWER, Psalm 22:19 (You can run to Him and He will protect you. Don't fight alone and unprotected. God is your defender and longs to keep you safe.)

SHIELD, Psalm 3:3, 18:30 (You are guarded on every side. He is actively at work defending you! You don't have to become weary protecting yourself. You can hide in the safety He brings.)

Is all hell breaking loose in your life? Your DEFENDER is there. He is just waiting for the time to make His appearance.

Don't give up!

Catching Breaths

We were waiting in line at the bank the other day and E asked, "Mommy, is it time for another Spring Break yet?" She had only been back in school 2 days from Spring Break. I said, "No baby. Your break just ended. Now we have to go back to school for a while."

She sat silently looking out the window and let out a big, adult-like sigh. "Man, I sure do need a break!"

haha..."What do you need a break from missy?"

"I just need to catch my breath. I think I need a Breath Break."

Need Some Help

I've mentioned in previous posts about my new-found desire to save money by couponing, etc. I have been finding so many great deals to share with you all, only to remind myself that this is not what "Kisses from the Father" is supposed to be about! ...and that honestly, you may not be as excited over these deals as I am.

So, I thought that I would create a new blog devoted to that - and other things of that nature. (And of course, I will continue with this one.)

I had the brightest idea and cutest name come to mind today - "This Little Piggy" because of the association to piggy banks...saving money...and well, it's just cute! But guess what? It's not available!! Sheesh!!

I really would like to name it something cute like that...maybe even related to piggy banks or 'this little piggy.' My husband and I just simply thought, "What about the 3 Little Pigs?" Then we thought..."Wait, what does that...OINK...say about us?" haha...SNORT!

Your suggestions, original and creative, would be greatly appreciated!

Dis Lil' Ham thanks ya! (By the way, I am open to a variety. I truly am not stuck on the PORKER names! :) )

Wordless Wednesday

Okay I know I know - this is supposed to be wordless ("Wordless Wednesday") but how can I not say sumpthin after posting pictures this beautiful! Isn't she LOVELY?! We had a good Easter despite the fact that my allergies were in full swing and well...you spend most of Easter Sunday outside! It was a long day with 3 egg hunts one right after the other: church, great-grandmothers, grandparents house. But we survived. We learned that next year, it would be wise not to try and fit so much into one day.

I was so excited to share these pictures of our E with you all! Enjoy!

Looking for something

"General Robbie Risner described the seven years he spent as a prisoner of war as the "essence of despair." He said, "If you could have squeezed the feeling out of the word despair, it would have come out lead-colored, dingy and dirty." What's amazing is how he survived!

He pried the cover off a floor drain in his cell and lowered his head into the opening. There, he noticed a solitary blade of grass, the only smidgeon of color in his colorless world. Calling it a 'blood transfusion for the soul', Risner began each day in prayer, lying on the floor of his cell with his head down the vent, focused on that single blade of green grass.

Jesus said, "Your eye...provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness." (Matthew 6:22-23 NLT)

What are you looking at? Each day you get to decide where you'll focus. You certainly don't have to look far to find things to complain about: war, gas prices, the economy, global warming, and crime. God gave Adam and Eve everything they needed in the Garden of Eden,, but they chose to focus on the one thing they couldn't have. He divided the Red Sea, sent signs to guide the Israelites in the wilderness and provided food so they'd never go hungry. Initially, "They...sang his praise. But...soon forgot what he had done." (Psalm 106:12-13 NLT)

Don't be like that. The Bible says, "If there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." Surely you can find something to praise God for today!"

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The above is from a devotional that I read. I'm sure it spoke to you in the same simple, but profound way that it spoke to me. Living in the times that we are living in - with bad news all around us - there have never been more reasons to complain before! I like to think of myself as a "glass half full" kind of girl. Most people that know me well will agree that I am sometimes "overly" positive...well in an almost annoying way. I don't let people close to me get away with any negative comments about, well anything really!

But, I catch myself getting wrapped up in the news or the latest economic "jibberish" or "so-n-so lost their job today and they have a brand new baby to take care of" or this and that or this and that. I could go on and on. In the midst of so many things to complain about, we ALL have so many things to be praiseworthy for! Thankful for! Grateful for!

I don't know about you, but if my life is so covered up in negativity or problems that I can't find just one.single.thing to thank God for, I'd better get busy on that drain cover...gotta pry that thing off then stick my head in upsidedown and look...

...for that solitary blade of green grass.

Get a New Grill...for FREE

So as you know, lately I've been working hard on learning to be frugal and save money.

...and FREEBIES are always GRAND!!

I found some information today online about how to get a FREE grill. Yes, I said "fuh-REE!"

In this day and time, we all need to find ways we can save money!!

As every Southerner knows, come spring it will be time to get ready for that all-important cooking technique of the south --- outdoor grilling!I have just found out there are many stores (not just in the South) where you can get a FREE Bar-B-Q grill!In these tough times free useful items are very welcome.

You can get a free BBQ grill from any of the following stores:

A&P

Albertsons

Costco

Dan'sFood

LionFry's

Home Depot

Big Lots

Bloom's

Brookshire's

Hyvee

Lowes

Publix

Safeway

Sam's Club

Tesco

Target

Trader Joe's

Wal-Mart

APRIL FOOLS!!!

(Thanks to ClipperGirlSavingsSpot for this!)

Fill me in on what jokes you pulled today...or what jokes were pulled on you!

Multi-lingual Child of Mine

"Hey mommy! Say the word Chinese. No...like dis... 'Chi-neeez'."

"That's right mommy. Now you're speaking Spanish!"

She's a bit confused wouldn't ya say? But cute!

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I have been so busy. We got a new laptop and I've been having trouble uploading pictures on it. I have so many pictures to share with you too. :/

I also decided spontaneously to redo E's room and it's looking beautiful! I've been deep into girly paint for 2 days and wouldn't have it any other way! Can't wait to share it with you.

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I don't have any plans at this point to make this a coupon blog. But, as you see below, I've really enjoyed sharing some great stuff with you all. One thing I've been so busy on is learning the "art of couponing" and don't you laugh! There is truly an 'art' to this, if you want to do it right.

I have signed up to be a member at BeCentsAble and I encourage you, if you want to cut your budget even a little, check it out. I saw these ladies on GMA ~ video here. There are different levels that you can sign up for in the member area from free to $75. I joined at the $20 level and have 90 days to complete an online course...homework included...in order to become a "Centsable Shopper" with their tips and advice, which is incredible! I'm already blown away and have only completed 2 out of 9 lessons.

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We are also getting ready to gear up for Easter. I need to do some 'centsable' shopping and go find our Easter outfits! Our church also does a huge egg hunt and starting this week, we will be stuffing 14,000 eggs for the big day! We actually have an egg-stuffing party coming up at church. How fun is that?! :)

Another reason I have, once again I know, been so scarce 'round here is that we have all been so sick back to back. It's been no fun at all! Anyone that has ever lived here in Georgia can attest to the crazy weather we have. Infact, on Feb. 28th, we had tornadoes come through here and do some major damage on some folk's homes...Then, the following day, we had a huge snow storm! Well, huge for us anyway. It snowed all day and you know it - half the city shuts down for 2 days. It is so funny...

So with that crazy weather comes horrible colds and it's nasty! Following that...comes the pollen, which like a little monster, creeps into your house right under your nose. You don't realize it until your child begins waking up for 2 and 3 hours during the night coughing her head off - repeatedly! Everyone seems to be complaining with sore throats here and there and coughing and yucky nose stuff and I just wonder if the pollen may be worse than normal right off the bat.

Oh the joy of Spring! I can deal with it though because with that exception, I love Spring and Fall! Today is the first day too! :)

I have some major cleaning to get done today so that we can get out and enjoy a fun weekend as a family.

So if you are still here after all of my rambling, have a wonderful weekend and Happy Spring!

Good Weekend Finds

Updated to add:

* Do you love Smoothie King? Sign up for their "Kingdom" and receive a coupon for a BOGO 20 oz. smoothie of your choice. Then, you will receive offers periodically by email, as well as a coupon for a free smoothie on your birthday! Yea...we love free! :)



Okay so I'm in the process of learning all about the art of couponing. You may laugh, but there is truly an art to it. There are so many things to learn about the right way to go about saving money with coupons and deals and, while at first, it is a bit overwhelming to learn...I can't wait to share it with you.

In the process, I keep coming across some great freebies and deals that I can't just keep to myself.

I know I've had several people take advantage of the earlier post and I'm glad to hear!
By the way, the coupon for the Free Roastburger at Arby's is only good through Monday so get to printing! These really are good.

So, here are more!

* Go to http://www.oldnavyweekly.com/ each week for new coupon specials to print. This is really fun...you have to click around on the page to find the best coupon. But you can only print one and you can't share it! I read where there once was a coupon on there for $75 off of $100 purchase! That is unreal! (Hint for this week: Extra Extra read all about it!)

* Pay it Forward event with Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. Print this coupon and use it as many times as you'd like from March 12 - 15th for 30% off! 5% of your purchase will be donated to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

* Go here for a FREE sample of Betty Crocker Warm Delights Mini's. You have to sign up for their email newsletter, but what a great way to get delicious recipes sent to you each week!

* Want a FREE Diet Dr. Pepper?

* RedBox FREE movie rental codes...Every Monday! During the month of March, you can get a FREE rental every Wednesday too! Go here to sign up and visit the RedBlog every Monday or Wednesday for the free rental code.

So for now that's it. See how fun this is? If you'd like to get a "coupon education" like me, visit http://www.becentsable.net/ and browse around.

Have a great weekend and be sure to give me some feedback! :)

I'm So Excited...I Just Can't Hide It!

Exciting things are happening folks!

On Sunday evening, our candle company launched their first nationwide LIVE webinar!

Other candle business owners from all over the US and Canada gathered together to watch from their computers as they introduced 2 very exciting new lines of Specialty Gourmet Candles, along with the Spring 2009 product catalog...which is awesome!

But guess what? The webinar was recorded and you can get in on it and find out what the hype is all about! Check it out... here.

I encourage you to take just a few minutes of your time and check out the new candle lines and see a page by page view of the new Spring product catalog that came out today!

What you will see...

"Signature Scents" These are 20 oz candles with world class perfumes in a 4 colored tier setting. The fragrances will inspire relaxation and comfort while giving a "Pottery Barn" style to any room in your home. You'll see the first two fragrances launching the Signature Scent line:

After Dark (available for order now!) & Fireside (available within 30-60 days!)

"Spa Sations" With these 8 oz. frosted glass spa candles, you'll discover 4 premium fragrances that will embrace you in emotional well being and a positive state of mind. Go here to see the 4 new scents. Which one sounds best to you?

This candle company is making it possible for people just like you to create more time with your family, financial security, loads of fun & laughter, and a stable future with this profitable and fun home-based candle business.

The recording of this webinar is only available online for the next 7 days. Don't miss it!

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/530913306

After watching the webinar, please let me know if you have any questions and what I can do to help you decide if this is right for you!

Ready to join and take your first step toward the 2009 you want to create? Sign up here.

Coupon Love

Free Arby's Roast Burger expires 3/9/09, but you can print as many as you'd like! Kevin and I ate this for dinner last night and they are good!

BOGO at TGI Fridays expires 3/1/09 so go have a date this weekend! You can print as many as you'd like!

3 boxes of coffee for $3 @ Gevalia, including a free travel mug & free shipping! This is great...I just ordered my Breakfast Blend, Hazelnut & Vanilla Nut!

I'm having fun with this. I will keep posting...

Enjoy!

Good Morning Lord

I wouldn’t call myself a “morning person.” However, I am very pleasant most mornings and love the idea of a fresh start to a new day. It doesn’t matter what kind of day I had the previous day; what kind of attitudes we had with each other; what kind of mood E was in or how much trouble she managed to get into. The morning is new…

Most mornings, my husband is already gone to work when I wake up – or he wakes me up when he leaves. But, when I wake up, I can’t wait to call him and say our “Good mornings!” If I don’t call him quickly, he’s calling me to ask why I’ve not called him and to say he loves me.

I love the pitter-patter of E’s little feet running across our floors to find me when she gets out of bed each day. She is anxious for that greeting, as am I! We squeeze and hug and kiss and ask each other (yes, she asks me too), “Did you sleep good last night?”

After our greetings, we start our day, our morning routine.

I usually have my prayer time in the shower or while I dry my hair. So, one day last week, I was just having a hard time with waking up and just couldn’t put forth the energy to pray or sing or anything. I just wanted to “slide by” and…I could always “make up for it later” right?

I did just that. I got focused on getting ready and rushing out the door and before I knew it, I was hours into my day and had not given even a brief couple of minutes with the Lord a second thought.

Suddenly, the thought popped into my head... I began to imagine how horrible it would be if – just humor me here – I woke up one morning, Kevin was gone to work. I walk into the den to find E sitting on the couch or watching t.v. and I get in the shower, finish getting ready, drink my coffee, fix E her breakfast, get her dressed and ready for school. We then leave for school, drive all the way, I drop her off with a smile only, she walks into her class - away from me – and begins her day. I go about my routine never making a phone call to a soul and my phone never ringing.

--- Keep in mind, none of us have spoken a word to each other at this point. ---

It’s 12:30 and I pick E up from school, get home to fix lunch, then she lays down for a nap and awakens to play in her room for a bit. I knock on her door and motion to a snack that I’ve prepared for her in the kitchen and then I begin to make preparations for dinner or whatever plans we have that evening.

At some point, Kevin comes in from work…I may greet him at the front door with a hug and kiss, but still never speaking. Our evening progresses and before we know it, the day has passed and we’ll be heading to bed soon.

As E crawls in her bed, she says, “Hey Mommy! How are you? Thank you for everything today. I love you and goodnight!” She falls asleep, too tired to talk anymore.

Kevin usually goes to bed before I do because I am a night-owl. So soon, he tells me “Goodnight” …maybe even “Thanks for dinner (hours after-the-fact). It was great!” and he’s snoring in a matter of minutes.

Do you have chills? I do just typing this!

I have never had a day like this nor do I plan to. If I did, I think I’d lose my mind! If this scenario proved to be true though, I would have spent the entire day awaiting conversation or acknowledgment from the loves of my life! They, in turn, would have been longing for the same.

Isn’t that how we are with God?

I’m guilty. We wake up too tired, or rushed and put our time with Him on hold or on the back burner. Before we know it, our day is through. We realize we never even “greeted” Him, to say the least, so we squeeze in an “itty bitty” prayer before drifting off to sleep. “Hey Lord! Thanks for this day and your blessings! Goodnight!” We are too tired and are beginning to dose off during just those short few words.

…When He’s been waiting…A-L-L day…for the loves of His life to talk to Him or acknowledge Him.

But, His beloved (us) were just too busy.

...for the "idiot" in all of us!

Great title for a post huh?

I am NOT truly calling you an idiot...or myself for that matter ~ I don't think I've done anything (yet) today to merit that name! :)

Fun recipe I thought I'd share with you. This was one of my granddaddy's recipes and it is SO good - you will love it!

Warning: I never said it was a healthy recipe, but it is good for you...your taste buds, that is!

IDIOT PIE

2 pie crusts
1 8 0z. package cream cheese
1 box confectioners sugar
1 med. container Cool Whip
1 can blueberry pie filling

Mix the cream cheese, sugar and Cool Whip together with a mixer and pour into pie crusts. Top with the pie filling and refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight until set.

* This makes 2 pies so you can cut the recipe in half if you'd like. Also, cut yourself a smaller piece than you think you want because it is pretty rich!

Oh but SO good...you'd be an IDIOT not to try it...(no offense) :)

Enjoy!

Finally Home

I just heard this song for the first time in the middle of cleaning. I had to stop what I was doing and share this simple, but sweet song. Man! ... Mercy Me has a special gift with their songs of making your soul cry out, "Even so Lord, Come Quickly!" I can't wait to be home. Enjoy!

Calendar of Deals

I received a little card in the mail with a magazine last year and while picking up around the house last week, I ran across it in one of our 775 junk drawers!!!

Calendar of Deals ~ What's on Sale When

JANUARY:
Bedding
Cookware
Toys
Treadmills (no brainer)

FEBRUARY:
Furniture
Small consumer electronics
Houses & Condos
Humidifiers

MARCH:
Winter Coats
Humidifiers
TV's
Winter Sports gear

APRIL:
Digital cameras
Spring clothing (really?)

MAY:
Athletic clothes and shoes
Cordless phones
Small consumer electronics

JUNE:
Summer sports gear
Swimwear
Furniture
Small consumer electronics

JULY:
Computers
Furniture
Outdoor furniture
Swimwear

AUGUST:
Air conditioners
Camping equipment
Lawn mowers
Dehumidifiers (ha ha)

SEPTEMBER:
Bikes
Gas grills
Shrubs, trees, perennials
Small consumer electronics

OCTOBER:
Digital cameras
Gas grills
Bikes
Winter coats

NOVEMBER:
Autos (new)
Toys
Gas grills
Bikes

DECEMBER:
Toys
TV's
Autos (New)
Computers

So, need a small consumer electronic? I think you're pretty safe all year 'round if you want a deal!

Maybe some of these will be helpful to you...

It's February, so if you're looking for a house, you better get out there! You've got 13 days left!

Week of Firsts

So this has been a great week for us! It's been busy, but Spring is in the air (for now) and we are loving this beautiful GA weather!! At the moment, the skies are as blue as can be, there is a cool breeze blowing. I can hear the sound of people moving around and working outside - finding an excuse, like me, to get out if only for a few minutes. Something about days like this just call and beckon you to come out and bask in the beauty of God's gorgeous creations!

We have had some firsts this week and it's been neat. E brought home her very first progress report on Tuesday, which was WONDERFUL, by the way. The reports from her teacher have been so positive and outstanding and I can't wait to reward her for this. Her choice for her reward is Chuck E. Cheese, of course! We're going to make a big deal of this!

The small things that we will be working to teach her or for her to improve upon are manipulating zippers, buttons and snaps a bit better. I've spoiled her in that area because as you mommies know, it's just easier to do it myself!

So, today, she had her first school Valentines party and exchanged her little valentines with her school mates. It's so sweet. This is what I walked into the party and saw:

Chocolate face... This is the only time she even touched the cheese sandwich in hand. Like any smart person would do, she chose the chocolate cupcake over that.

Do they not look like they are teenagers... the way he is posing? This is one of her best buddies that goes to school and church with her. He is Mr. Personality and adorable!

Look at this face!!


I love this! She doesn't like to post for pictures much, but when you have her get in a picture with another child, she loves it!

My little school girl.

After coming home with all of her Valentines goodies, we dug straight in for the sugar! Another first? She enjoyed her very first Fun Dip. I should have gotten a picture. I had to teach her how to do it and she was in sugar heaven. I think she got almost every grain of Fun Dip powder that she could, although about a tablespoon of it ended up on the floor.

I also signed her up for K-4 this week. It's unreal how fast this first year of pre-school is flying by. I hope this isn't a sign of how quickly we will arrive at elementary, junior high and high school. Oh.My.Word!

Happy Thursday before Valentines!