So, in the last few weeks I've become a little crazy about couponing. I'm excited about it. I love to save money. AND it's going to help our family continue to get even closer to becoming debt free. Yes, DEBT FREE! YAY! We're getting closer and closer, and our hopes to be debt free weren't dashed by a few setbacks. It's just part of the plan, part of the game, and we're still working hard on Baby Step 2! We're anxious and excited!
In the past few months I contacted some friends about learning about the real deal with couponing. The woman that came to share her knowledge with us at our MOPS meeting this past month got me (and several other moms) ready and geared up for couponing. Some of us didn't even realize what it all entailed (including me!). Although I can't share all of the things I gleaned from the meeting here, I can add to the list of sites that I've learned to utilize! Here they are
Couponersunited.com
Moneysavingmom.com
Frugallyblonde.blogspot.com
heyitsfree.com
orgjunkie.com
stretchingabuckblog.com
Although I can't devote my evenings and weekends to couponing, I'm going to give this weekend my very first "real good" shot. I've always couponed, but this time I'm using "prior knowledge" from those who go before me (aka PocketYourDollars and CreativeCouponing)
And if all this information goodness isn't "good" enough for you...here's a video to get your couponing fire burning!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Lifting Up.
I've always had that sun shine attitude and the ability to share a smile. It's just who I am. What I haven't always had was the ability (or knowledge) to lift up others in thought and prayer. It's so simple. You don't have to spend money,or give up large amounts of time. It's as simple as a thought and/or prayer.
I've been working on this. I have to admit, it makes you feel great when you lift up others! So here are two ideas I have for you...
The first idea I gleaned from our female pastor at our church. She spoke at our MOPS meeting last year and shared the idea that she drives through our town and prays for specific people, but then also pray those people you see that you DON'T know. Pray for their day, their family, their needs.
The second idea I am sharing with you from Pixel Perfect , a photography blog I have stumbled upon and have found is so much more than tips and tricks for photography...it's also tips and tricks for your life. She shared in a post recently how to use social media in a different way. Let's be honest, Facebook and Twitter can sometimes be used as places that people use a little too much indiscretion. They complain, boast, swear, gossip, banter, and other not-so-beautiful things. However it's others' way of communicating needs. Needs for prayer, needs for support, needs for lifting up. You can use this social media tool to do this! You can take those negative statuses and lift those people up in prayer. Pray for their day, for a change in attitude, for a look on the bright side. You can pray for those who ask for prayer, for their needs. You can pray for those who aren't asking, aren't making a statement, but just plain being. Pray for them. Pray for their families, for them to be open to the Lord's plan.
Social media is a great way to reconnect, connect, and stay in touch.
But best of all, you can use it to glorify Him.
~Amber
I've been working on this. I have to admit, it makes you feel great when you lift up others! So here are two ideas I have for you...
The first idea I gleaned from our female pastor at our church. She spoke at our MOPS meeting last year and shared the idea that she drives through our town and prays for specific people, but then also pray those people you see that you DON'T know. Pray for their day, their family, their needs.
The second idea I am sharing with you from Pixel Perfect , a photography blog I have stumbled upon and have found is so much more than tips and tricks for photography...it's also tips and tricks for your life. She shared in a post recently how to use social media in a different way. Let's be honest, Facebook and Twitter can sometimes be used as places that people use a little too much indiscretion. They complain, boast, swear, gossip, banter, and other not-so-beautiful things. However it's others' way of communicating needs. Needs for prayer, needs for support, needs for lifting up. You can use this social media tool to do this! You can take those negative statuses and lift those people up in prayer. Pray for their day, for a change in attitude, for a look on the bright side. You can pray for those who ask for prayer, for their needs. You can pray for those who aren't asking, aren't making a statement, but just plain being. Pray for them. Pray for their families, for them to be open to the Lord's plan.
Social media is a great way to reconnect, connect, and stay in touch.
But best of all, you can use it to glorify Him.
~Amber
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Addicted.
Addiction to one thing or another rules so many lives. My life has been altered by addiction. I've come to a place as an adult where I see this, accept it, and hope for change in the person that has succumbed to it. Addiction comes in so many forms, alcohol, drugs, sex, money, gambling, food, and the list goes on. For many people in our lives, they may go through treatment, they may continue therapy and counseling for their addictions, however addiction has become a way of life for them. It's finding a healthier form of addiction that they look for, like exercise.
Then, there is an addiction to the best thing one can find. Jesus. Who wouldn't want to be addicted to him? The Way, the Truth, and the Life?
He's amazing! He changes lives, hearts, and families.
His love isn't conditional, His love is forever!
He forgives, always! He doesn't keep a record of wrong.
He knows you, from the very beginning of your being. There's no getting-to-know-you period.
He's always there. You don't have to go find Him.
He carries your burdens, your grief, and your worries. No strings attached!
He's changing lives everyday, and He is the healthiest addiction known to man. I'm praying for those in my life to see what He can do, so they too make a change. If addicts need an addiction, this is the best choice!
~Amber
Then, there is an addiction to the best thing one can find. Jesus. Who wouldn't want to be addicted to him? The Way, the Truth, and the Life?
He's amazing! He changes lives, hearts, and families.
His love isn't conditional, His love is forever!
He forgives, always! He doesn't keep a record of wrong.
He knows you, from the very beginning of your being. There's no getting-to-know-you period.
He's always there. You don't have to go find Him.
He carries your burdens, your grief, and your worries. No strings attached!
He's changing lives everyday, and He is the healthiest addiction known to man. I'm praying for those in my life to see what He can do, so they too make a change. If addicts need an addiction, this is the best choice!
~Amber
Saturday, January 22, 2011
On Pins and Needles: Liam
Over the course of the last month many things have consumed me. A close friend of mine said it best, "You allow yourself to carry the burdens of others on your heart." That is so true. I know it can be both a positive and a negative aspect about myself, but I think that it is just who I am. I'm constantly on pins and needles for others, and sometimes myself.
Recently our oldest boy had us a little in a tizzy. Over the last month, through the holiday season he became more and more withdrawn. He slept more, was more clingy,ate less, and played with his classmates and brothers less. It just wasn't him. He is one of the most energetic, excitable children I know. And the fact that he just let the world pass by him wasn't normal for him.
I began making excuses.
He's sad about his friend being sick.
He's tired from the holidays.
He's fighting a cold or other illness.
He's growing.
Just the other day my husband said to me, "Honey, have you noticed how lethargic he's been?" And that was all it took for me to be on pins and needles. I called the doctor the next morning and we took him in for a more thorough exam.
Upon arrival, the doctor went through a checklist that listed all of his symptoms. It was incredible how many he had that were listed. As she proceeded you could see that she too, was concerned and the ideas swimming in her mind I was not sure that I wanted to know. Next we had the nurses take three pin-poked vials of blood for initial blood screenings. My little guy was so brave, not a trickle came from his eye. These tests were testing for mono, blood diseases,and leukemia. Leukemia!? The doctor came in with a look of relief on her face and shared that the last test was indeed negative. Praise God. She shared with me that she was most concerned about the possibility of this being a different outcome. But all tests were negative. She was still believing that something was "up" with our preschooler. We were sent to the hospital for yet more blood to be drawn and more tests.
Needless to say, the size of the needle that was used for the blood drawn from LJ's arm was a little alarming for the little man. He was scared out of his mind and sobbed while the great nurses at Maple Grove hospital did their work with him. They were consoling, considerate, and careful. This blood is to be testing kidney and liver functions, thyroid disease, mono, Lyme's disease, and other "blood panels".
Following the procedure, I took him out to get some goodies and some not-so-healthy food to smooth over the bumpy morning we had. It was hard for the little guy, and the mommy in me needed to give him more than just a hug for his bravery. We got some goodies from the "Dollar Spot", ate some pizza from Pizza Hut, and drank a mighty Slurpy. It was just the medicine he needed.
Still holding his arm, we ventured out to home in the cold. I watched his eyes become heavy, and slowly he drifted off.
So far the tests he was given have all came back negative, thankfully. LJ is starting to perk up and his appetite is off and on. He's playing with friends more and more each day. For that we are thankful. We'll wait for the remainder of tests to come back, but for the most part, we're content that we're seeing improvements and are no longer on pins and needles.
We're most thankful for his wellness and thankful for the prayers and thoughts of those who sent them.
Recently our oldest boy had us a little in a tizzy. Over the last month, through the holiday season he became more and more withdrawn. He slept more, was more clingy,ate less, and played with his classmates and brothers less. It just wasn't him. He is one of the most energetic, excitable children I know. And the fact that he just let the world pass by him wasn't normal for him.
I began making excuses.
He's sad about his friend being sick.
He's tired from the holidays.
He's fighting a cold or other illness.
He's growing.
Just the other day my husband said to me, "Honey, have you noticed how lethargic he's been?" And that was all it took for me to be on pins and needles. I called the doctor the next morning and we took him in for a more thorough exam.
Upon arrival, the doctor went through a checklist that listed all of his symptoms. It was incredible how many he had that were listed. As she proceeded you could see that she too, was concerned and the ideas swimming in her mind I was not sure that I wanted to know. Next we had the nurses take three pin-poked vials of blood for initial blood screenings. My little guy was so brave, not a trickle came from his eye. These tests were testing for mono, blood diseases,and leukemia. Leukemia!? The doctor came in with a look of relief on her face and shared that the last test was indeed negative. Praise God. She shared with me that she was most concerned about the possibility of this being a different outcome. But all tests were negative. She was still believing that something was "up" with our preschooler. We were sent to the hospital for yet more blood to be drawn and more tests.
Needless to say, the size of the needle that was used for the blood drawn from LJ's arm was a little alarming for the little man. He was scared out of his mind and sobbed while the great nurses at Maple Grove hospital did their work with him. They were consoling, considerate, and careful. This blood is to be testing kidney and liver functions, thyroid disease, mono, Lyme's disease, and other "blood panels".
Following the procedure, I took him out to get some goodies and some not-so-healthy food to smooth over the bumpy morning we had. It was hard for the little guy, and the mommy in me needed to give him more than just a hug for his bravery. We got some goodies from the "Dollar Spot", ate some pizza from Pizza Hut, and drank a mighty Slurpy. It was just the medicine he needed.
Still holding his arm, we ventured out to home in the cold. I watched his eyes become heavy, and slowly he drifted off.
So far the tests he was given have all came back negative, thankfully. LJ is starting to perk up and his appetite is off and on. He's playing with friends more and more each day. For that we are thankful. We'll wait for the remainder of tests to come back, but for the most part, we're content that we're seeing improvements and are no longer on pins and needles.
We're most thankful for his wellness and thankful for the prayers and thoughts of those who sent them.
Friday, January 21, 2011
What I'm Reading
I'm a huge fan of Dr. James Dobson from Focus on the Family and am re-reading this great book that is chalk full of insight on boys, how they're made, and how to effectively raise them.
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