Have I mentioned I HEART Kroger!

Okay today was a good day at Kroger...I only had to pick up a few essentials and I had some coupons burning a hole in my pocket!

I got all of the above for only $22.45 including tax!!!!

Here is the break down:

Surf detergent (3) on sale for $2.99 -$2.00 Q =.99 per box!!!

All Oxi detergent (3) on sale for $2.99 - $2.00 Q = .99 per box!!!

Golden Flake chips (2) $1.79 - $.55 Q (doubled to $1.10) $.69

Kroger Deluxe Ice Cream on sale for $1.99 - $.75 Q = $1.24

Loreal Kids clearanced at $1.09

Bounty Paper towels $1.39 - $.25 Q (doubled) =$.89

Kroger cheese $3.59

Milk $3.44

Strawberries $2.19

Tax $2.81

Total OOP $22.45!!!

62% savings!!

Obviously the detergent was a HUGE deal!!! One box of the Surf is regularly $5.79 and I got ALL 6 for almost the price of one!!!!! I was so pumped!

I don't normally always share all the details of my shopping trips but I thought this one was worth talking about! Stay tuned for a post on my week at Walgreens...

Before I was a mom...

I've had a few things on my mind lately...I think at some time or another all mom's feel a little lost. Lost in the everyday in's and out's of life. Taking care of little ones (or big ones), feeding the family, trying to contain the chaos, and keeping peace. I once read in a book that when we fail to express our feelings we begin to lose who we are. I think that is true. There isn't much time in the day for us to stop and express our thoughts and feelings (that is where this blog comes in for me) so after a while it is just habit to keep our thoughts and feelings to ourselves. However, with that brings consequences...we begin to lose ourselves piece by piece.

Please don't misunderstand me...I LOVE my life! I love those daily things that make up my life...but I do miss me sometimes. It is much easier not to speak the things we feel...it keeps us from ruffling feathers or even saying things we don't mean. However, it is good to take time for us. Mom's do have a voice....

In honor of this subject I wanted to share a few things with you that use to make up who I was before I was a mom....things I enjoyed!

1. All things tea! I have a teapot and teacup collection. I LOVE a hot cup of tea served in a fragile tea cup!! It makes me smile!
2. Music! I loved music...I normally didn't get the words right or even know who sang the songs, but I loved to play it loud with the windows down! It made me feel good!
3. Sports! I loved playing, watching, and coaching soccer!
4. Girly Movies! I loved a night of girl movies sitting on the couch eating popcorn and crying into a tissue!
5. Scrap booking! I loved the detail and the creativity I could express through my scrapbooks!

There are other things I could list but those are my top 5 picks :)

Now, as I wrote those I realized there is no reason I couldn't enjoy those things again...so maybe it isn't that I lost me...maybe I found a new me in being a mommy :)

Here is my top 5 things I love now:

1. All things JACK! I love that my days revolve around spending time with my son. Just think, I don't get to miss a moment!
2. QUIET! Forget the music...I love to have quiet moments. I love to turn the TV and radio off when Jack is napping and just enjoy the peace!
3. Our garden! Every year I look forward to planting our garden! It keeps our family together...it is an activity that involves all of us, Jack too, and I LOVE that!
4. Dinner time! I love cooking a meal and sitting down together as a family! Yes, I know, Jack doesn't usually eat everything I fix BUT those days that he chooses to try my food and loves it makes my heart swell!
5. Friends! What would I do without good friends?? God has blessed me with an abundance of good people in my life and for that I am soooo thankful!

Looking at that list I realize I like the mommy me....you know the woman AFTER the kids :)

I'd love to hear some of your lists...what things did/do you love???

Once again...a new hobby!

Okay, okay...yes, I like to change hobbies and interest frequently! I think it is the fact that I LOVE to learn something new. I guess that is why I loved teaching so much. I love the process of learning and applying what you've learned. Now, as far as life lessons, I don't always view them so positively hehe!
Here she is...my new interest...cake decorating! I signed up to take a Wilton cake decorating class at a party supply store here in town! It was great not to have to travel to "the big city" to do something like this! The above cake was my very first to make...yes I baked cakes before, but I made the icing on this cake myself!! I then smoothed the icing out to make it pretty...I liked this cake much better in the above picture. Below you will find my after picture.
HAHAHAHA! I'm cracking up as I type this...this was my final product of a baby shower/clown birthday cake. We started making the clowns...which were cute, but at the same time very cheesy for my taste. I added them to my cake and as we progressed through the class session I began running out of icing!! AHHHHH! Therefore, I just decided to practice my flowers and borders in baby shower blue :) I thought this random cake was hilarious, but Jack LOVED it!! He wanted to eat the clowns the moment I walked in the door! Surprise!
This was my final graduation cake...it was actually only my second decorating session in class. I was pretty proud of it since i am a newbie! The roses are so hard to make but once I got the flow of it I didn't think they were terrible.

Moral of story is...I am now wanting to try some new techniques and different cakes. Therefore, I am now currently selling lots of my scrapbook paper and accessories to support the new habit :) Anyone interested? LOL

Far Above Rubies: Prov. 31:10-12

I am so excited about a new Bible study I'm going to be participating in. My friend Kristen at Bringing up Benjamin is hosting the study. We are going to take a verse a week, study, memorize, and discuss it! I'm coming in two weeks late due to traveling, but I'm gonna catch up in this post! I'd love for any of my friends and readers to join in! You don't have to be a blogger, jut leave your comments on my page under this post! I love a good discussion so let's discuss!!!

v. 10 "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."

Rubies today are still valuable, but back then they would have been worth even more! I love that God uses figurative language so many times to get get his point across to us. This would be an example of using an exaggeration. Meaning God holds a virtuous woman so valuable that you would not be able to even put a price on her! That is overwhelming for me to think about. We live in a world today that puts a price on everything, and just knowing that I could be held on the pedestal of PRICELESS makes me want it even more!

In thinking about this verse I also got to thinking about the fact that God is asking a question here "Who can find a virtuous woman?" I think it is being asked this way as a challenge to men. All men are interested in valuable things, so why not challenge them to find a "valuable" wife? I think most of the time we focus our attention in the chapter on the many things we should be doing as wives (which we should), but why not look at if from the stand point of the men. I believe we should be teaching this scripture and its value to our young men!! Give them God's checklist for a wife. Issue the challenge to them to seek out the very best, a GODLY WOMAN!

v.11 "The heart of her husband doth
safely trust in her; so he shall have no need of spoil"

I believe the heart here is his absolute soul and entire being! He is able to give her everything of himself because he has utmost confidence in who she is and how she treats him. Take a moment to reflect on a man who's wife is not trustworthy, not only a woman that can not be trusted with the everyday affairs of life but a woman that is demeaning and untrustworthy with a man's feelings. Will a woman like that help her husband be successful and happy in life? Of course not, she will do nothing but hold him back and keep him from any form of success or happiness. Now, think about this same woman and the effect she would have on her husband's spiritual life. We all know that an unhappy man (or woman) is much more likely to give into his temptations whether it be adultery, alcohol, pornography, etc...

I truly believe our homes should be the utmost refuge for our families and ESPECIALLY our husbands! The number one quality that will make our homes a refuge and give our husbands that feeling of safety is TRUST!!

v. 12 "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her
life."

By God instructing us specifically to do our husbands good and NOT evil means it is possible for us to do evil unto our husbands. A lot of times, for me at least, I do not want to admit when I am wrong or when I've done something wrong, BUT it is possible for me to be wrong and I need to be ever aware of that!

We may not be aware at times of those little things that cause him "evil". I think we could make a list of big things we consider evil but what about those little things that affect them on a daily basis? As wives, we need it pay attention and listen to our husbands for clues. We might even need to ask our husbands to tell us of those things we do that cause them difficulty.

I absolutely LOVE the phrase " all the days of her life." Now that is COMMITMENT! This statement alone holds within it God's will for us to be married to our spouses all the days of our lives! Please understand that I know the "exceptions" God has given us for divorce, however God still hates divorce. It was never his intention for men and women to be married as long as they both behave but the design of marriage is for life.

Sorry this post is so long! I had to catch up with three verses instead of one! Next weeks will be shorter promise :) Now go on and DISCUSS!!!

Mommy Moments: The famous Hunting Shirt

Jack learned today that when Mommy is sick you get to wear whatever you want! I've been trying to give him some more independence by encouraging him to dress himself. Now the actual picking out of the clothes I like to give him two of my choices and let him choose. However, we have been soooo sick in this household and I knew we wouldn't be leaving the house so I allowed Jack to pick out his clothes and dress himself. He was so excited...He came around the corner and said, "So, what do you think?" Now, at the time he didn't have the tie on, this was added later of course. It was a precious moment! I loved the sense of pride he had that he had done something all by himself. Plus, it gave him the freedom to wear his favorite hunting shirt that mommy doesn't usually allow in public :) I couldn't help but hug him and tell him how awesome he was and how absolutely proud I was of him. I hadn't thought of taking a picture til the tie was added later...I thought it was the perfect demonstration of how a sick mom feels. Who cares what they look like (messy hair and snotty nose included) when mom is sick the little battles just aren't worth choosing!

Enjoy moms...I know you've had days like this! :)

Checking back IN!!!

Okay so you could say I've been missing from the blogging world for a while now! Three months to be exact....that would have nothing to do with the fact that I was in my first trimester with baby number 2! That's right for those of you who didn't know we are expecting another little one in October! I'd like to say that my lack of energy and concern was entirely the fault of this growing little one but I'm afraid there was something else in the back of my mind.....

Making yourself vulnerable.....

That's right, things happen and they at times can cause you to want to run, hide, and seclude yourself. If you don't make yourself vulnerable then you can't be hurt. I'm not saying it is the right thing to do, in fact it leaves you quite lonely and separate from the outside world. I feared as I was sharing things about myself that maybe I was telling too much...maybe my weaknesses could be used against me....

I've decided vulnerable or not, I need PEOPLE! I need to write down my thoughts, and maybe being vulnerable makes you open up to who you really are...NO MORE hiding

Stay tuned...I hope I haven't lost my blog friends...I'm learning I NEED you!

I'm tired....

Okay get ready...it has been one of those days and this might not be the most positive blogs I've written....................

I'm tired.

I'm tired of being in this house.

I'm tired after sleeping in a toddler bed from 4-7 this morning due to a yucky cold that won't go away.

I'm tired of repeating myself 45 million times............(this one makes me crazy)

I'm tired of laundry always being there.I'm tired of dishes always finding their way to the sink.

I'm tired of NEVER having things put in their place...something is always messy.

I'm tired of never feeling focused enough to finish any job.

I'm tired of worrying about what everyone thinks of me and my family.

I'm tired of being everything to everyone.

I'm tired of being FAT and no matter how hard I try it is always there (tears are coming now)

I'm tired of bills.....paying bills....receiving bills....this includes checking the mail.

sigh..........

Ok ENOUGH of the pity party!

Things I'm NOT tired of:

I'm NOT tired of Jack when he rubs my face with a feverish hand at 4 in the morning and says, "I love you the most mommy!"

I'm NOT tired of Chris saying he LOVES my cooking when I've cooked a meal for my family. (even Jack won't touch it with a 10 foot pole)

I'm NOT tired of worshiping the God in heaven with my brother and sisters in Christ.

I'm NOT tired of my nightly phone calls with my mom and sister.

I'm NOT tired of coupons and anything that has to do with a good bargain.

I'm NOT tired of learning something new everyday!

sigh.....Ok, feeling better now...I actually should probably not post this cause it will show that I'm completely off my rocker, but hey why not let you in on the secret ;)

What snow brings....

I know, I know, it has been a while since I've posted something deeper than coupons! ha! I think of great posts but then I want to do them perfectly and they don't get done at all...I'm going to try to be better at just posting my thoughts more frequently (not that you care LOL) mainly for myself! My blog seems to kind of be a journal for me and my life....




We had close to six inches of snow fall yesterday! That is the most snow I've seen in years!!! Being from Missouri I was use to growing up and having several big snows a year! Chris kept asking me why I was so excited as I ran to the window to see how much more had fallen in the last ten minutes....I didn't know why....so it got me thinking.



Here is what I came up with:

1. It brought back those giddy feelings of listening to the radio til 11:00 at night to see if school was canceled...which led to my next thought
2. I had a good friend, Jessica, that lived across the street. I was around 10 years old and we use to play ALL day long outside together....that included snow forts, sledding (which my mom didn't let me do much for fear of injury), snowmen, snow angels, hot chocolate, moms yelling not to come in again unless we were staying in, and most importantly my sister Ashley alongside us....
3. Ashley....my sister, my best friend.....she is five years younger than me and even though I may have come across as not wanting her with me all the time, I've learned that I loved her place beside me as my little sister, she was a source of comfort, she always made everything FUN....including the snow!! After we came in from a day in the snow together, we got to have a slumber party on those nights that school was canceled the next day. We had two different rooms but we always chose to sleep together (every night, not just school days)......Looking back she really was my best friend even then!
4. Peace....precious peace...snow is peaceful, comforting, and ever reminding us that there is a God! I like snow because of the peace it brings to our busy world...
5. Comfort = families spending time together, sharing warm meals, watching movies and having no other place to be but with each other
6. Family.....My mom is an awesome mom....I'm blessed! She created so many memories that I didn't even appreciate back then like I do now! She was actually a quieter presence in our home...always busy! We never had to ask on snow days if she could make us lunch...we'd open the door and she would have it ready...hot cocoa was only a mug away....and how did our clothes get dry so fast in between play time???? That's right we never had to ask...she had them in the dryer and ready to go. I don't think I ever told my mom thanks for those things...I'm sure that was OK...because I don't need Jack to tell me thank you, his smile and precious hugs say it all! I can't forget DAD........what was his role you might ask...well, professional 4 wheeler driver pulling a sled, he was awesome at throwing us off! Where Dad is you can always find FUN!
7. Memories.....through typing this I've learned that looking outside every ten minutes was my own anticipation of creating those very same memories for my family. I want to give Jack that giddy feeling of when snow approaches there is fun and family time to be had....Here's to all those memories you made on such a beautiful snowy weekend! You never know....the next time the weather man predicts snow you may find yourself at your window looking out a little more.

New Kraft Printables!

Grab these new KRAFT printable while you can!! these are some great high dollar coupons!!

I was able to print all of them twice except the Capri Suns....they may be out of prints on that one!

(Thanks dealseekingmom!)

Free coupon book from ConAgra!!!

Sign up for $17 worth the ConAgra products at the following link! These are great products and the book is sponsored through Wal-mart. I always receive my samples and coupons Walmart sends out!

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

My Favorite Printables!

I'm going to try to be better about being more consistent with these posts! I have so many great deals I come across and then forget to post them here!


Here is a coupon round-up on some of my favorite printables right now!! Some of you that are still new to couponing...you really need to start a junk email account so when you have to register at a website for coupons it doesn't fill up your regular email inbox with junk mail!


Register with Hidden Valley for a $1 off coupon on 1 bottle of dressing! This is one thing I buy faithfully and I NEVER have coupons for it! (Thanks Hip2Save!)


$1/1 Baked Lays !!!! This is a HOT coupon! I don't think it will be around long so print now! This is a rare coupon! (thanks Centsible Sawyer!)


BOGO Sunbelt Granola Bars This is a PDF coupon that was offered on their facebook fan page! Rumor has it these are at Walmart for $2 a box....so with the free box offered you pay $2/2!!!


$5 off EPT Pregnancy TESTS!!! This should make pregnancy tests FREE at Walmart! Don't forget to hit back and refresh to print it twice! (Thanks Deal Seeking mom!)


$1.25 off Yoplait Frozen Smoothie! (Thanks Deal Seeking mom!)


Those are just a few of the higher value ones I've come across! Don't forget www.coupons.com and www.redplum.com . Good luck couponing!

My First Blog Award!!!

So exciting! I got my first blog award from an amazing blogging friend, Kristen! You should check her out at Bringing Up Benjamin! She is a dedicated mother to the Lord first and her family!


This award come with some rules: I am supposed to answer some questions in one word or less and then pick 6 other blogs to give the award to!



1. Where is your cell phone? Desk
2. Your hair? Long
3. Your mother? Strong
4. Your father? Persistent
5. Your favorite food? Pasta
6. Your dream last night? Clueless
7. Your favorite drink? Coke
8. Your dream/goal? Heaven
9. What room are you in? Living
10. Your hobby? Coupons
11. Your fear? Unknown
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Happy
13. Where were you last night? Gym
14. Something that you aren't? Quiet
15. Muffins? blueberry
16. Wish list item? Baby ;)
17. Where did you grow up? Missouri
18. Last thing you did? clean
19. What are you wearing? Jewelry
20. Your TV? HUGE
21. Your pets? Precious
22. Friends? Blessed
23. Your life? Faithful
24. Your mood? Restless
25. Missing someone? Family
26. Vehicle? Explorer
27. Something you're not wearing? socks
28. Your favorite store? KROGER!
29. Your favorite color? Purple
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Today
32. Your best friend? Husband
33. One place that I could go over and over? Orlando
34. One person who emails you regularly? Facebook :)
35. Favorite place to eat? Mexican



Now for my nominations ......
1. Laura Beth, her sister is one of my good friends and she is an amazing mom and teacher!
2. Candace, a Christian sister and friend, we went to college together and she amazes me everyday with her strength. Not to mention she is incredibly creative!
3. Jen, a fellow mom and preacher's wife, she is a very talented writer and is not afraid to express herself
4. Amanda, she also is a preacher's wife that homeschools her two children...check out her great ideas here!
5.Cindy Colley, I look up to her in so many ways! Her blog is completely spiritual in nature, and I gain something from it everytime I read!
6. Amy, who is one of my best friends in this world! Her precious family will be moving sometime this year to Brazil for five years as missionaries! I admire their willing heart and willing hands!

HOT deals at Kohls!!!

Okay had to share these coupon codes I came across on http://www.hip2save.com/ (my new favorite deals blog! Thanks Kristen!)

First of all they have these FABULOUS pillows on clearance for $4.99! Chris and I are in desperate need of new pillows! So, I'll give them a try!

Here is the kicker....drumroll...get them for an additional 20% off with the code EXTRA20 at checkout. You can use TWO codes so combine it with NOCHARGE and get FREE SHIPPING!!! They had some amazing clearance deals going on also, so I got Chris a much needed sweater vest. I paid $16 for 2 pillows and a sweater vest! You can't beat that going to the store! Check out their clearance section and let me know if you snag some good buys!

Calling all MOMS!!!

Okay so I informed you when I started this blog that I loved a good project....well I've had a particular project on my mind for several months now. However, I need your help! I need some feedback from moms of all kinds! Moms of babies, moms of teenagers, moms of grown children....you name it!

Okay.....here is the question....

If you could gain insight or wisdom from God's word on one particular subject that would make you a better mom, what subject/topic would it be???

For example: Patience, Mommy guilt, Faith

I really need your opinion You can comment on this post, message me on facebook, or email me with your replies...THANKS for you help with this "project".....more info to come! (You can post a comment annonymously if you don't won't me to know your reply :)

cajbutler@bellsouth.net

Mommy Moments - Tied around his little finger

I had to share with you a precious moment I had this weekend with Jack. I think the secret is out.....I think he knows that I absolutely adore him and he has me wrapped around his little finger! We were standing singing the invitation song in worship Sunday morning and Jack wrapped his precious arms around me, gave me a bear hug, and rubbed my face while whispering, " I love you the most Mommy!" Wow! Want to talk about heart melting....mine did! We have always had this saying "I love you the most"....it is reserved for Jack, Mommy, and Daddy. However, I had no idea how good it would feel to actually hear him say it first. He always tell me he loves me whether it be while watching TV, checking books out at the library, or reading books together, but this one felt different. It felt as though he knew exactly what loves was and that if runs deep. I've decided there is nothing like loving your child. It is the scariest, whole hearted, joyful experience I've ever felt. A mother's love is like no other....it runs deep and at times hurts. I tell Jack everyday that I love him more than life itself and I mean that.......that's right folks....I love that precious boy and he loves me......the secret is officially out, he has me hooked!!!


Thank you God for giving me the blessing of a mother's love!

By the way...that is me and my sweet baby boy the week he was born in the hospital!

Recipe Shout Out - Pumpkin Cake

This is another one of my mom's famous recipes....however, it originated with Mrs. Cole. Mom always makes it for the holidays! So, when I serve it to others it makes me think of my mom.

I fixed this recipe for my bunco group the other day and they LOVED it! I would say it is best served warm! Super yummy!

1 Pillsbury Yellow Cake mix
1 can Libby's Pumpkin Pie mix (1 lb. 14 oz)
1 1/2 sticks of margarine ( I use butter occasionally and it is awesome)
3 eggs
2/3 cup milk
cinnamon and nutmeg
1/2 cup sugar
Cool Whip

1. Put cake mix in a bowl. Reserve 1 cup for topping. Mix cake mix with 1 egg and 1 stick of margarine (melted). Pat into bottom of buttered cake pan. It will have the consistency of a cookie dough.
2. In a bowl, mix pumpkin pie mix with 2 eggs and 2/3 cup of milk. Add a little cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour on top of bottom layer.
3. Mix 1 cup cake mix with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon. Cut in 1/2 stick of margarine until crumbly.
4. Sprinkle on top of cake. Bake @ 350 degrees for 45-50 min. To serve top with cool whip. I usually keep the leftovers in the fridge and just heat it up in the microwave.

ENJOY!!!

It was a Hot Wheels birthday!

Okay, Jack celebrated his 3rd birthday last weekend!! I wanted to show you some of the fun things I made for his party. Not a big deal but simple ideas that you might be able to use some day!Here is the Race track birthday cake I made. You just need one cake mix and bake the cake in two round pans. Then cut a semi-circle out of one of the circles and put them together.
I used green food coloring to tint the white icing. To make the track I placed two small bowls in the center of each circle. Crushed Oreos and added them around the bowls. Topped it off with some new match box cars. Jack LOVED it and I felt like I had done something really special for him. Plus, it was CHEAP!!

Here are the cute candy cars I made for the center of the tables. I used hot glue to put them together....some of the cars fell apart before the party, but I was able to use a few of them. I wrapped the end of the balloon strings around the cars. The kids loved them and some of them took them home!

Choose Something Different

Okay, so lots on my mind as usual! Now before I share all of this I want you to understand that I truly believe that I am blessed in so many ways, and I'm not complaining about life...just pondering on it!

There are several things that I'd like to do differently .... I think sometimes I bring a lot of grief upon myself with things that could actually be fixed if I just made a few changes. As I began to share this idea with a good friend she told me I had to mention a Seinfeld episode where George decides to do everything the opposite way that he usually does them. With that change all the things he had always wanted to happen started happening...Of course it ends in a funny way... with all the changes George made, Jerry starts having terrible luck...and so goes a Seinfeld episode!



I thought the idea worked here though. I think a lot of things in life could be changed if we just "Chose something Different." What if we took those negative habits and began doing what we've never done....can you imagine the changes that could take place!



Why is it so hard to "choose" something different. We often use the word habit in reference to a behavior that we repeat over and over. However, habit is almost a word that makes me think that somewhere along the way we began this "new" behavior and it became the habit, but as I think about some of my own behaviors I don't think of them as habits....I think of them as who I am. Changing your habits will change your behavior...but I'm thinking about something deeper than that. I'm talking about actually changing who you are and where you are headed. It is through changing the inside that those outward habits begin to change.



Being something different than what we've always been is scary....It is new, unfamiliar and at times uncomfortable. I think fear can keep us from changing...."What if" thinking takes control and we can't stand the thought of not knowing what change will be like even though we know we want to be something different. I think in some cases we are scared that change will make those around us uncomfortable. That by making changes in ourselves we are leaving them behind or we are saying to them we want something different from what they are. However, I think there comes a time in our lives that we have to make decisions for ourselves and if it is a change for the better we have to do it knowing that it is necessary at times to take care of ourselves. Also, you never know who else will follow you in those positive changes.....something to think about.



Change is tiring. When we begin to change things about ourselves we can no longer go through this life on autopilot...you know what I'm talking about. Not even having to think about the things we do and the way we live. When change takes place we are all of a sudden very aware of so many things in our lives and on top of the daily stresses that can be an overwhelming experience. Mental exhaustion can be a big factor in going back to the person you were trying to change.



Change must have PURPOSE! If we do things in this life with purpose we will be setting ourselves up to succeed! That purpose in our life must be strong enough to overcome all our complaints, worries, and fears! It will be the only thing that will pull us through change..........finding our purpose it the tricky part. Many are wondering about life jumping from one thing to another searching for purpose. Our most important purpose in this life needs to be living as a faithful Christian! Serving our Lord and bringing others to him....that is our GREATEST purpose, but there are also things on a smaller scale that need to have a purpose behind them. Like weight loss for example....I remember Jillian on the Biggest Loser talking to the contestants about purpose. She was encouraging them to look deep within their souls for the purpose of losing weight....she said once they found it the changes would be easy!



Change sometimes is not an option. We all know the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting something different.......well, think of that on a bigger scale. Doing the same things in this life over and over will lead us where when we are 40, 50 or even 70 years old. The things we are doing now are setting us up for who we will be then. What makes us think we will be different at those ages if we aren't making changes now....very sobering to think about, but also empowering to know that we CHOOSE where we go from here. Christians must make changes constantly as we strive to be more like Christ. Without making changes in our lives from those things that are unholy we make the choice to lose our soul. Yes, I used the word choice....we make the choice of who we serve in this life... God or man!



What choices are you making........where are they leading you.......what will you change?

$5 Magazine Subscriptions!!

Okay think Christmas on this one...Amazon did a round of $5 magazines last week and I bought two subscriptions for people for Christmas!! GREAT deals on some of these!

Coupon Organization

Okay so here it is by popular demand.....my coupon book! I use to be very embarrassed to say that I actually had a coupon book, but now I'm proud to show it off! Here is my "system" take what is useful for you and don't worry about what doesn't work for you!I like to clip and sort first...then it is easier to put in my binder. However, don't try to do too much at one time...I've been known to let them sit like this for a few days because I don't have everything clipped. Don't be like me! Clip, sort, file!
I use a 10x10 scrapbook album. I did buy some insert pages because I needed more than came in the book. I tried a photo album in the past but found it was way to easy to tear up with lots of use. I LOVE my new album! The plastic is thick and it isn't too bulky to grab and carry with me to the store!!!

I simply took a permenant marker and drew directly on the plastic. The perfectionist in me did at one time print labels but then I couldn't edit them...and...really, are labels even necessary!? I also LOVE that the coupons are inserted into the album from the top! My photo album allowed the coupons to be entered from the side which meant I was picking up lots of coupons as I shopped.....they almost always fell out the sides of the binder! Ugh!

I do clip all the coupons I think I will need or that I could use if a sale would arise. Some people like to save their inserts and clip as they go through the sale ads...I found this too much! I couldn't deal with all the insterts and sorting through them. I tend to clean my coupons out once a month and take out the expired ones.

There you have it! Isn't she a beauty?! :) I'd love to answer any questions you have.....(if you think it is insane that I carry this into the store with me...you should see my grocery bill :) You would change your mind!)