Word to your Mother Contest!

I don’t post about too many contests on my blog. I am making an exception today, though. There are two reasons for this:

The Bomb Mom Contest

1. I really like these shirts and I think they are awesome!

2. Did I mention I really like these shirts?

My blog ‘friend’ Elizabeth created this t-shirt line that I think is great! I already have my shirt and I love it. But I have to be honest and tell you that I had such a hard time choosing just one! So, in hopes of getting my second favorite I am blogging for an extra 5 entries!

These are great for you if you are a mom or gifts for others.

Check them out, they are the bomb!

Publix Trip May 4

Today was another great day at publix! I knew that I needed to purchase things like meat and milk but I was determined the get as much for my money as possible. The challenge for met his week was that I was not able to print coupons from the internet. I had to get creative!!

Here is what I bought:
1 – family size bag Tostitos Chips
1 – Tostitos Cheese Dip
1 – Box Capri Sun
3 – Juicy Juice Immunity Juices
2 – All Small & Mighty Detergent
4 – Old El Paso Taco Kits
2 – Old El Paso Taco Seasoning
3 – Reese’s Puff Cereal
1 – Loaf of Bread
2 – Progresso Bread Crumbs
1 – Cascade Detergent
1 – Kid Essentials by Boost Drinks
1 – Gallon Milk
1 – Gallon Publix Organge Juice
1 – 1/2 Gallon Deli Tea (penny item)
1 – Deli Creations box lunch
1 – Yoplait Kid’s Yogurt 6 pack
2 – Danimals Drinkable Yogurt 6 packs
2 – Klondike Ice Cream 6 packs
1 – French Toast Sticks
1 – Family Pack of Chicken Breasts
1 – Pack of Sausage
1 – 1 1/2 pounds ground beef

Total before savings: $136.76 plus tax

Total Saved with coupons and sales: $67.16 plus tax

Total Spent: $69.60 plus tax

Sometimes to go forward

Sometimes to go forward you have to go back to where you came from. I have to be honest with you all that I do not keep in touch with many of my high school friends. Maybe 2 or 3 I still talk to but that is it. The reason for this may or may not have had something to do with a boy, a break up and people taking sides. I chose to just not deal with the petty drama around those times and I moved on. Lately, Facebook and Myspace have had me evaluating those ‘friends’ as they often send friend requests. Sometimes I leave a friend request waiting for days or even weeks as I really try to decide if I am ready to let them into my virtual world.

Recently, the facebook world brought back into my life Marysol. Now, just to set the record straight, she missed a good portion of that drama and it was just distance and age (because in high school 2 years is like a decade) that separated us. She and her husband, DeWet, were the ones to lead the Cape to Cairo Challenge and currently reside in South Africa. However, they are in the states for a few weeks and I had the chance to squeeze in a lunch with her. I say squeeze because I know she wants to visit family and tons of people were pulling at her. I want to tell you that I learned new things about her while we sat for a little over an hour.

* Living in South Africa is not just a ‘job’ it is her home. She talks about it with possibilities and she has s park in her eye as she shares about how she would like to raise a family there.
* The people matter to her…and not just for a month to two. In fact, her exact words to me were ‘we want to work ourselves out of a job here’. She and her husband believe that their calling is to train the local people how to share the gospel and disciple other people.
*Humility emits from her as she shared with me how God continued to provide for them.
* Community is just as important there as it is here…maybe even more so. She tells me that while they have a vacuum it is rarely at their house. Instead it floats from one place to another so that everyone can use it. The same is true with a muffin tin. Imagine the relationships that are formed from that!

More importantly, I learned that it is ok to ‘go back’. Sometimes I get so caught up in the pain and let downs of life that I refuse to go back and see the joy and gifts that God has brought into my life. And it is just not high school but life in general. The baggage from life’s hurts and disappointments can weigh so heavy that I miss the great things that happened in those moments. The fact is, had that boy not come into my life and then been out of my life I would never had appreciated Heath and I would never have known who my true friends were. I would never have had to struggle with finding myself but I also would not be as confident as I am today. Sometimes you just have to ‘go back’ in order to realize that those moments are what took you forward.

What moments did you experience life’s hurts/pain and what did you gain ?

This week’s Publix trip

Ok, I know the picture is not the best (that is what happens when your camera batteries need to be recharged and you have to use your phone!). Regardless, I had a great trip at Publix today. And you local girls, this sales goes for a week and a half so you might be able to snag some of these deals this week.

Here were some of the best deals I got:

4 – 8 packs of 20 oz gatorade @ 2.99 each! They are on sale right now for 4.99 and there are a bunch of coupons peel offs on the packages for $2/1. The best part is that I can use these at the ball park!

12 – 20 oz Vitamin Water @ 0.00: The special this week is buy 2, get one free. I had a three 1/1 coupons I was going to use and only get three. However, when I got to the case that held them there were 0.50/1 coupons (which doubled to 1/1) and I took 9 of those coupons combined with my 3. I paid nothing out of pocket!!

3 – reusable bags for free…actually I made money on these. There are coupons all over General Mills and Betty Crocker items that if you buy 2 participating items you get a free reusable bag. The mashed potatoes are included. I bought 6 boxes of potatoes (On sale B1G1) and then bought three bags. The bags are on sale for 0.80/piece but the coupon takes off $1….so you make 0.20 a bag!

2 – Yoplait Kids Yogurts for 0.00!! Again, I actually made money on these as I had 2 coupons for 1.50/1 and the total cost of the yogurt (because they are B1G1) was 2.69. I made 0.31 on that!

Here is the rest of my stuff:

1 – Lil Debbies Brownies

1 – 12 pack Cottonelle Toilet Paper (on sale for 6.99 and used a 1/1 coupon)

2 – Quaker Granola Bars (B1G1)

4 – Sargento Cheeses (these are B1G1 and there were coupons on them to save 0.75 off 2)

1 – Publix bleach (penny item)

2 – Motts Juices (B1G1)

1 – 5lb bag of sugar

1 – Loaf of bread

1 – dozen eggs

1 – Gallon milk

1 – pack of Conecuh County Sausage

Total Before coupons/sales: $114.57

Total Saved: $68.53

Total Spent: 46.06

Where do you shop to save and how do you find the savings?

The Cape to Cairo $5 Challenge!

I want to start this post off with this: I think God is a creative God. He not only created sunsets and seasons but he made a donkey talk and healed a blind man with mud made from his own spit. It that is not creative then I have no clue what is!

Since I firmly believe that we are made in his image it is only fitting that we be creative too…especially when it is about sharing His word with others.

That is where the Cape to Cairo Challenge comes in. Marysol and DeWet posted a video on their blog here but if you can’t see the video here is a quick rundown of what they are wanting to support:

“If you still haven’t heard about this, let us break it down for you quickly. This will also serve as a quick notes for those of you that can’t see the video. There is small-grassroots-pioneer Bible school in Egypt that we are friends with. Its nothing fancy, its the grunt work of Bible training. Its the kind of thing we love to get behind. They are in need of about $6,000 or it will shut down. We realize that is huge amount. We are not even thinking we can meet all of that. So we are thinking small, like $5. And asking God to multiply it by getting perfect strangers to give and share this all over the internet. What happens when people all over the world give $5? They don’t know enough people. We have been there ourselves. Big project, who do you ask to help? So we felt God ask us to put it out to everyone we know and get the blogosphere behind this. Its called networking and advocating on behalf of those who can’t. Part of why we blog is to help connect people with ways they can be a part of the day-to-day things God is doing in Africa. We believe the Arabic speaking world is crucial to missions on the continent and the planet. We don’t want to see this school shut down. So as we work in the Southern Part of Africa, we are wanting to send a huge gift of love and support by April 1st, 2009 to the North. Thus the Cape to Cairo Challenge.”

They also just found out that someone right now is willing to double all donations received up to $500 total! So your $5 becomes $10.

Sometimes I think we sit at our computers and wonder how we can make a difference in the world or we just think that we could never take the time or money to another country….this is the perfect time to be part of the sharing!

Go here for more information about how to give and about Marysol and De Wet and their ministry in Africa!

The chasm in my life

The gap between the current me and the imagined me, the one that I believe that God created in His image, is huge. I admit it. There are times when that gap feels like a simple jump from one to another but there are times where the chasm feels wider than the Grand Canyon. And as much as it stinks to admit it, I think I am closer to the canyon right now than to the jump. I find it sad that it took me so long to realize how much distance formed.

We are in a series called Backseat Jesus right now at church…basically we are talking about how to move Jesus to the front seat of our lives. First, I should tell you that I was pretty convinced he was driving my life…up until a couple weeks ago. I actually realized that he is not in fact driving…and sometimes I think he just might be hanging on the bumper as I speed along. Ouch!

See, here is the thing. I fully believe Christ is who he says he is. I fully believe that he gave his life for me, a sinner, and that through his grace and mercy I am saved. I believe that His love is what has seen me through some of my darkest days and that His hands were the ones that held me as I wrestled with my demons. I firmly trust that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. I believe that I am new, and renewed, in Him and that daily I have the chance to share his character and heart with everyone that I encounter.

All of that sounds so great and put together…and all of it is true. Yet, when things are going so well I tend to just toss him in the back like a little trinket. I fill my day with emails and calls and other things instead of diving into his word. I miss the chance to forge ahead in my relationship with Him because I am filling my days up.

Pete made a comment recently that totally wrecked my life and began to transform the way I perceived Sunday mornings. His comment was along the lines of ‘if you are expecting Sunday mornings to close that gap then you are missing it’. Now, truth be told I think he finished it a bit differently but I was hit hared by that because many times I am expecting Sunday mornings to be like a shot of java for my week.

How in the world can my relationship with Christ truly grow if I am not giving the relationship any time? It is a tough question for me to ask myself because it means that I have to admit that I have not been investing enough time but I know that the answer is easier.

Sunday mornings are just going to be a starting point to my week from now on…and I plan to invest in my relationship with Christ. Because I still believe all that stuff above…and now I want to be sure that all my actions are laced with His character and that His hands are guiding me down the road.

I heart Savings

I really do enjoy grocery shopping when it comes to going to Publix. Part of it is because the store is always clean and well lit, part is because the cashier and bagger are always so kind and compassionate towards my boys but the biggest part is because I can save so much there! I was so excited to get back to Publix this week because I knew that they had some great things on sale. Here is a list of what we got:

1 – Angel Soft Double Roll Toilet Paper
2 – Loaves of Publix Wheat Bread
1 – Publix Dinner Rolls
1 – pkg of 18 eggs
1 – box of 50 ct. sandwich bags
2 – Del Monte Cans of Green Beans
1 – Suave Men Shampoo
1 – package chicken
2 – Post Selects Cereal
2 – Johnson’s Buddies Bars
2 – Honey Maid Graham Crackers
1 – Toll House Cookies
1 – Barnums Animal Crackers
1 – 10 ct. Minute Maid Juice Pouches
1 – 20 ct. pck of tortillas
1 – gallon of milk
1 – Big roll of Paper towels
1 – Dole 4 pack of fruit cups
1lb Red Potatoes
2 – packs of gum (not shown)

Total before savings: $67.11

Total Spent after coupons/savings:$36.95

Total Saved: $30.16

It has made me start my day out well! It also makes me feel like I really am being a good steward of the money we budget each month for groceries. In case you are wondering how one pack of chicken is going to last us I should first tell you that that pack is not even for us. I am making a meal for a friend today and a good portion of that will go towards their meal (along with the rolls, green beans and half of the cookies). I normally wait for a great sale on meat (just chicken really) and I stock up for a month (at least). When I get the meat home I just divide it into portions for our meals and then freeze it like that. It saves me time and really saves us food because we typically do not use an entire pack of chicken in one meal.

And yes, we do eat red meat but right now we are stocked with venison from my hubby’s latest hunting trip! With turkey season upon us now I am sure that some turkey will be finding its way to the freezer soon too!

If you like this kind of deal you should check out Sarah’s site. I am telling you local girls I get so much tips on saving from her all the time! Check our this post to see more people’s savings for the week!

Be hope, Be light…and remember the gift of water

It has been almost 3 months since Christmas passed. I generally keep the pictures sent in the cards but I dispose of the cards soon after the holidays have gone by. However, there is one card that remains hanging on my refrigerator. It looks like this:

The inside reads this: During the holidays, we celebrate hope. In this coming year let’s celebrate the hope of ending extreme poverty, together, one community at a time. May you be the change you wish to see in the world. Be hope. Be light. Be Nuru.

It was not from Nuru International but rather from my sister.

My sister amazes me in many ways but one of the ways I that I am drawn to her is that she is passionate. When she believes in something she gets behind it 100% and makes you want to get behind it too! Nuru International is that for her…and my heart is being pulled into it too.

I watched this video this morning and I have to tell you that I fought the tears back. My sister is pretty involved with this on her local college campus and I have had the unique opportunity to hear from her a little about the Be Hope To Her Campaign. I realize how much I take for granted the ability to go to the faucet and grab water…making food and drinks and never thinking about the gift of that water.

Surely you have a few minutes to watch the video below. It just might change the way you think of the gift of water too. It sure did me!

Be Hope to Her 720p from Nuru International on Vimeo.

And, I can tell you that I will be proud to wear my Be Hope to Her Shirt any time and tell people about it!

My first blog award!

See that little image up there. It is a blog award! It is from my friend at La Vida Ladybird! How sweet of her. She actually gave it to me a couple weeks ago and since I have been on a blogging break I am just now getting to it. Sorry Ladybird!

The rules for this award:

Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Show the winners names and links on your blog, and leave a comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Scrap.” There’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon.

List at least 10 honest things about yourself:

Really, after all my blogging you want 10 more things about me? I will do my best to try not to repeat any!

1. My grandmother calls me her social secretary. I am not sure exactly when it happened but for some years now I am the one to coordinate all the family get togethers…she plans the location and then I plan the day and time. It all started because I didn’t like to have surprises on my calendar. I really do love getting the family together!

2. I tried out and made my freshman dance team in high school. I had no experience in dance at all. However, I fell in love with dance. After my freshman year I began taking ballet, jazz and tap. I hate tap but I loved the others. It led me to teaching a hip hop dance group of girls. I often wish I had the time to dance now. Yes, I still have my dance jacket and uniforms (which look like I cheered!) from high school.

3. I am not spontaneous at all….Heath completely is! I like to have my calendar perfectly scheduled. Heath is about taking advantage of the moment. It is an odd balance that we strike at our house.

4. I only have 4 credit hours in college…if they do not expire at least. I tried college for a semester and hated it. I went to work at a travel agency and loved being in the work world and opted to never try college again.

5. I wear heels all the time. I do have flip flops and sneakers in my closet but I just love my heels. Even at 8 months pregnant you would find me in heels.

6. I had surgery on both of my Achilles tendons when I was in 6th grade. I wore casts up to my knees for 3 months. I would never have made it through the days with my sister and best friend carrying my books for me

7. I do not trust easily. I am also not a good forgiver with trust. If someone breaks my trust in them I will close the door on that relationship. It is one of my least favorite character traits in me. However, you will find me loyal (and sometimes to a fault) to my true friends.

8. My wedding day was full of the handwork of my mother and mother in law. My mother made my wedding dress while my mother in law made the veil. They both worked on making all of my bridesmaid’s dresses. My mom created a pattern and made my flower girl’s dress to be similar to mine. My mother in law made both my wedding cake and the groom’s cake!

9. My relationship with Christ is a continual evolution. Some days I feel like he is my best friend. Other days I feel he is as distant and the clouds. I want to be someone that walks with him daily and hears his voice often but I just get so content with life that I forget to search Him. My faith is sure but sometimes I am afraid my walk is varied.

10. Motherhood is not a job I went searching for…it found me. If given my will I probably would never have come to the conclusion that I was ready for children. Isaiah’s surprise was the biggest blessing in my life. My boys fulfill me in ways I did not know I was empty.

Now onto the blogs:

Brandi & Boys: I have to tell you that not only do I think she is a great blogger she is an incredibly woman of God. I have had to chance to get to know her personally and she is the real deal. I am always humbled by her ability to be real with people and not put on a fake shell…oh…and being a pastor’s wife I would think that fake shell is easier to tug that reality!

Christy at Our Journey, Our Adventure: Remember the friend I described who carried my books…this was her! She is an amazing friend to me who stuck by through the good and bad!

De Wet & Marysol: Two missionaries to Africa. Marysol was in my youth group at church and her heart fro God was contagious back then. I love seeing how God has really created a new heart in her as she serves him in Africa with her husband!

Amy at With a Pixie Grin: She is planning her wedding that will happen in May and her blog is all about the planning. While I am not in the stage anymore I love to see her ideas and thoughts on her blog. Her wedding will be amazingly beautiful, no doubt about it.

Crys at Modifying motherhood: This is truly a blog friendship as I have never really met her. She is learning to raise three boys with her future husband and I love reading about her thoughts along the way

And since you all know how much I like to save and be frugal I must tell you about my favorite two blogs that have helped me in saving! The first is Fiddledeedee. She focuses a lot on Publix deals so for those of you in the area you should check it out. The other one is Money Saving Mom. She has two little girls, a baby on the way and uses $60 (0r less) a week for groceries!

Has time changed me?

Music moves me. It motivates me. It changes me. My life would not be best summarized by a script of words but a symphony of notes. I go through phases where I go back in time with music. Sometimes I simply take a step back to a few years before. Other times I find myself being reminded of what it was like a decade ago. Recently, the decade ago trip has been constant. And just to show I am not ‘that’ old I should give you a heads up that about a decade ago I was soon to graduate high school. The songs that have played the last couple weeks have varied but all have brought back the emotions of my fears. They also brought to mind some stark contrasts of my life back then and where I am now. I soon realized how much I had changed and (sadly) how little I had changed.

As a senior here was my list (or a portion) that I would think about:
* Would I have enough money to buy that cute shirt at the store and still do coffee with Lea or Liv
* Would I ever really truly be loved.
* After two boyfriends that ended harshly and crossed too many lines…would I be alone for the rest of my life? Was I damaged goods for someone else?
* Would my friends still be there for me when I made the choice to go a different direction than them?
* How long could I keep a charade of my relationship with Christ?
* How long could I survive a schedule that kept me at home only for a few hours of sleep each night?
* Would I survive the loneliness that would creep into my heart when I stopped?

As I typed that list I simply laughed. How things have changed. I learned that I was lovable…by a man that was far better for and to me than I could have imagined. A handful of friends stayed, many left. It was painful to lose people that felt like flesh and blood to me. I seriously doubted I would ever trust any friend again. My relationship with Christ was never really hidden…I think my friends knew. Yet the months that followed became the most defining in my faith as I became sure of who I was in Christ. My schedule was killing me…and I knew it. Working, teaching dance, taking dance classes, leading youth home studies, church and friends were adding up. Even with the best of intentions I was functioning in my own strengths. I had missed the idea of operating in my strengths through Christ and I was paying the price. Laying down some of my commitments felt like a part of my was being torn open. I soon had downtime…which meant I had to process things. It was in those down times that God really worked in me.

I would like to tell you that I worry about nothing and that fear never really creeps in my life. And for the most part I have to tell you it is true. Fear and concerns do not rule my life…for which I am grateful. In pride I simply thought that it must mean I just have it all together. Instead, I think it is because I have simply become numb (or done with it!) to feeling. If you don’t feel, there is no room for hurt. There is no room for betrayal. There is no room for brokenness. And yet, I find that in the moments that I am willing to go out and try to feel something is when I feel the most amazed. Sometimes it means that I am hurt but sometimes it means I have found something (or someone) that I can not imagine being out of my life.

Are you different from year ago? How?