Help for Haiti & Free Food for You

The Chick-fil-a restaurant on West Commercial Blvd just west of University Drive in Lauderhill, FL will give you a free original chicken sandwich for every 4 items you donate to Help Haiti now through February 2, 2010.

They are looking for Bottled Water, Gatorade,Powered Milk, New Clothes & Pull Tab Style Canned Goods. They may take baby items but call first to confirm. 954-741-9395

Free Pampers Diapers for 1 Year- Enter to Win

Pampers is giving away a year's supply of diapers every day for the next 25 days on Facebook. All you have to do is go here and become a fan and then enter the giveaway. Good Luck!

A Home Shcool Utterance is Beginning to Take Shape

I often find myself daydreaming- well at least that's all I thought it was several years ago when I fist uttered the words "I'd like to home school my children" ( I uttered much more than these words, but that's a story for another day). You see I was only just pregnant with our oldest about 5 years ago. It was then I found myself proclaiming all the glorious things I'd like to do when I became a Mommy. At the time it was mostly a "dream" or perhaps even a fanciful desire, but some 4.5 years later my fanciful dream is shaping up quickly to become a reality.
Actually all of the credit goes to Lord and his perfect timing. My 4 year old has actually been in Preschool since she was 1 - I was a working Mommy back then. But this last 15 months I have been a SAHM (Stay at Home Mom) and have added another daughter to the equation. During this time I have met my share of SAHM, many of whom already school. Just when I think I've met the last one, here comes another. Thank God, I mean truly, Thank God!! It's one of the ways he's been using to tell my husband and I that's his will for us as well.
So now I am in the process of learning, reading and investigating what will need to be done to take on this...Hmm, whats the word? Well, its a challenge really. I believe all things are possible with God, after all Philippians 4:13 tells me so. But I am still human and view much of life with carnal eyes often forgetting when I am weak its HIM who makes me strong. Nonetheless with prayer and time it will all come together. My first major undertaking is picking out the curriculum and starting to lesson plan. I figure if I start planning now I will be ready in the fall when Peanut starts Kindergarten.

Thus far I have found some pretty good links of information which I'd like to share with you. Please note- I have neither negative or positive comments on any of these as of yet. I'm still looking into each one.

Florida Parent-Educators Association
Star Fall - free online games and curriculum primarily geared towards reading
Sonlight- Christian Based Curriculum
Handwriting without Tears- Handwriting Curriculum
ACE (School of tomorrow)- Christian Based Curriculum
Mystery of History- Christian Based History Curriculum
Tapestry of Grace- Christian Based Curriculum

Free Conagra Coupon Booklet - $17 Value

Walmart & Conagra have a great new coupon booklet out, all you need to do is enter your mailing adress and information and yours will come via post mail.Go here to get your free coupon booklet today.

See Here: 50 Valentine Photo Cards for $4.99 Shipped

Do you send out Valentine's Cards or want a personalized one for your child to pass out in class? You can get 50 FREE Personalized Photo Cards HERE when you use code newbaby at checkout. You'll have to pay $4.99 shipping.

Thanks for the great idea, For The Mommas!

There are several Valentine's designs to choose from. And think outside the box to make other ones work for what you need. You can check them all out HERE under Photo Cards.

Walmart- Great Deal of Stayfree Pads*

Walmart: Two packages of Stayfree pads for $0.50 each

Stayfree

Many Walmart stores have Stayfree Pads on Rollback for $2 right now. Here's how you can get two packages for $0.50 each:
Buy 2 packages of Stayfree Pads at $2 each
Use BOGO coupon from the 1/3 RedPlum insert
Use 1 $1/1 Stayfree printable coupon
$0.50 each after coupons

If your store has Carefree Ultra Pantiliners priced at $2 you can use this $1/1 Carefree printable coupon to get them for $1 per package after coupons.

Thanks, Passion for Savings!

** Please note prices may vary at each Walmart location by demographic

Free Downloadable Activites for Kids

Need something to help keep the little ones entertained because its too cold or rainy outside? For the price of a little bit of printer ink and paper you can download and print a variety of games, cards and activities from Parents.com by going here. So download a few and enjoy!

$15 Gift Card When with Purchase of Pampers at Babies R Us/Toys R Us

If you need diapers anyway why not stock up this week ONLY. From January 15-18th you can get a $15 gift card after purchase of 2 boxes of diapers at Babies R Us or Toys R US. Don't forget your pampers coupons in the P&G insert just before the end of December.

Free Flip Book + 50 Free Prints From Snapfish!

Free Flip Book + 50 Free Prints From Snapfish!



If you aren’t signed up with Snapfish yet, sign up today and get 50 FREE 4×6 prints until 1/31. You will also get a FREE Flip Book with up to 45 pages of photos! Shipping is only $1.99, making this a frugal gift for a grandparent or to have on your coffee table to browse through.

If you’re looking to get creative, take pictures of simple objects around the house and create a “my first words” book for your toddler. Or you could create a Valentine’s gift by filling it with special memories of you and your loved one.

How to Make Children Listen- A Borrowed Post

All to often during the day I find I've reached a point of frustration- you know when you've said something for about the 15th time and have gotten no results. It is usually in this moment when I begin to raise my voice. I truly DON'T want to be this way, it's just what tends to happen. Nonetheless the Lord used Amy's post over @ the finer things to teach me something today, I will ponder on it thouroughly.
James 1:19-20
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.


Amy writes...

As with the vast majority of my “advice” posts, I’m writing this as a reminder to self.

When things get out of control in the house – fighting children, someone disobeying or not listening, chaos ensuing – my knee-jerk reaction is sometimes to get big and loud. Get their attention from across the room. Raise my own voice. Show them what they sound like, as I stomp over to let them know who’s boss. (Yes. Very mature, mom.)

That works if high blood pressure and tears are the goal. Me? I’d rather not spend the rest of the day as Queen of the Loser Moms, though.

What’s most effective for me when I need a child’s attention or need someone to knock it off right now? I lower my voice. Get small, kneeling at their level. Whisper, even. An amazing thing happens when I react quietly.

They get quiet, too.

They listen, because they have to. I’m whispering, remember? We all calm down and can assess the situation without a loud, ugly fight. Even if the entire problem can’t be solved right at that moment, we can be close. And quiet. And civil. Peaceful, even.

A peaceful home really works for me!

Thanks Amy!

Unilever & Kimberly Clark Coupons and Rebate

The Little Book of Big Buys is being found in Publix Stores. It contains store coupons & a rebate for a $10 Publix Gift Card when you spend $30 on participating products from Unilever and Kimberly Clark between 1/11/10 and 2/13/10.

The rebate form and details are also available here. (You’ll want to do this early because there is a max limit of 5,000 redemptions according to the form)

Store Coupons all expiring 2/13/10:

$3 off Huggies Diapers, box
-$1 off Huggies Diapers SS 1/17

$1.50 off Huggies Baby Wipes
-$1 off Huggies Baby Wipes 184 ct or larger SS 1/3

$3 off Huggies Pull-Ups
-$2 off Pull Ups SS 1/17 or printable

$3 off GoodNites
-$1 off GoodNites Sleep Pants printable (register)
-$1.50 off GoodNites SS 1/17

$1/2 Kleenex tissues
-$1/3 Kleenex facial tissue boxes or any 1 bundle pack SS 1/3
-$1/4 any Kleenex facial tissues boxes SS 12/6 (exp 1/31/10)
-.50/3 Kleenex printable

.75/1 off Cottonelle 12 or 18 pk
-.50/1 off Cottonelle Toilet Paper SS 12/13 (exp 2/8/09) or SS 1/17

.75/1 off Scott Bath Tissue
-$1 off Scott Bath Tissue SS 1/17

$1/2 Viva Paper Towels, any
-.50/1 Viva Towels printable

$1/2 Scott Paper Towels, long lasting 1 roll
-$1 off Scott Towels SS 1/17

.75/1 off Kotex Pads, Liners or Security Tampons
-$1.50/2 Kotex Liners or Kotex Security Tampons SS 1/10
-$2/2 Kotex Pads SS 1/10

$1 off Depend or Poise pads 30-72 ct
-$1.50 off Depends SS 1/10
-$1 off Poise Pads December All You Magazine

.55/1 off Q-tips product
B1G1 Q-tips Vanity Pack (excludes baby design) RP 12/13 (exp 2/7)

.55/1 off Degree Ultra Clear Deodorant
-.55/1 off Degree Ultra Clear Deodorant printable (IE) printable (FF)

$1.50 off Degree Clinical Protection Deodorant
-$2 off Degree Clinical protection printable

$1/2 Suave Professionals Hair Care Products
-$1/2 Suave Professionals Shampoo or Conditioner RP 1/3

.55/1 off Suave Kids Product
-$1/2 Suave Kids 2 in 1 products RP 10/25 (exp 1/17)

$1 off Bertolli Frozen Meals
-$1 off Bertolli Frozen Meals RP 12/06

$1 off Country Crock Side Dishes

.55/1 off any Shedd’s Spread Country Crock product
-.50¢ off any Shedd’s Spread Country Crock product printable (IE) printable (FF)
-.40/1 off Shedd’s Spread Country Crock Spread RP 12/06

$1/2 Ragu Pasta Sauces
-$1/2 Ragu Sauce printable

Participating brands for the rebate:

Huggies diapers
Pull-Ups Training Pants
GoodNites Underpants
Cottonelle Toilet Paper
Kotex Products
Viva Towels
Kleenex Facial Tissue
Scott Towels
Scott Bath Tissue
Depend Underwear
Poise Pads
Bertolli Dinner for Two
Bertolli Oven Bake Meals
Bertolli Pasta Sauce
Breyers Ice Cream (1.5 qt) (on sale starting Wed. or Thurs.)
Breyers Novelties
Brummel & Brown Spread
Country Crock Side Dishes
Shedd’s Spread Country Crock Spread
Good Humor Ice Cream
Hellmann’s Mayonnaise (on sale starting Wed. or Thurs.)
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! (on sale starting Wed. or Thurs.)
Klondike Bars
Knorr Sides
Lipton Iced Tea Mix
Lipton Green Tea
Lipton Recipe Secrets Mixes
Lipton Tea (24-100 ct.)
Popsicle Frozen Novelties
Promise Buttery Spread
Ragú Pasta Sauce
Skippy Peanut Butter
Slim-Fast! 3-2-1 Snack Bars
Slim-Fast! 3-2-1 Meal Bars
Slim-Fast! 3-2-1 Shakes
Wish-Bone Salad Dressing
Caress Beauty Bar or Body Wash
Degree Deodorant
Dove Beauty Bar and Body Wash (on sale starting Wed. or Thurs.)
Dove Lotion
Dove Hair Care
Dove Deodorant
Lever 2000 Bar or Body Wash
Pond’s Facial Care Products
Q-tips Cotton Swabs
Suave Kids
Suave Hair Care
Suave Deodorant
Suave Body Wash
Vaseline Lotion products

Free Trail Mix at Walgreens

If you have been able to locate the "healthy wallet happier you" coupon booklet from your neighborhood Publix take note...
this week Walgreens has the Planters Trail Mix on sale 2/$2. Use two $1 Off cpn from the booklet to get Free or almost free trail mix. You might want to use a filler item to be on the safe side. I'm going to try to make my purchase tomorrow since I just discovered this hot little deal. Hope it works!

Publix Booklet- Healthy Wallet, Happier You

Be on the lookout for a new coupon booklet at Publix. This one is full of MFR coupons that expires 2/28/10.

$1 off Breakstone’s Cottage Doubles & 4-pk Cottage Cheese

$1.50 off DiGiorno 200 calorie Portions Pizza

$1 off Mousse Temptations by Jell-O

$1.50 off (2) Kraft 2% Milk Singles Slices

$1.50 off Crystal Light 12-qt size

$1.50 off (2) South Beach Living Cereal Bars

$1 off Planters Trail Mix

$1 off Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip Light

My store had these at the front close to the BOGO's.

Reflection

We are several days into our Reading Through the Bible in 90 days Challenge. How are you doing with keeping up with the reading plan? I'll be transparent and say I'm not doing well at all! First off I don't love to read anything. It's terrible I know, I just never developed a passion for reading when I was younger I guess. I also feel like I don't have the time. But that is where the whole "Reflection" part comes in. You see Jesus never said to his Father God- "Dad I just don;t have time this week to die on the cross for all of those sinners". He also never says' " I just don't have time to answer your prayers". As I think on these things I am convicted and realize that I need to make time. Remember that was one of my goals for the new year; to have better time management. So I'm not going to give up. Instead I'm going to pick myself up and dust myself off and resume where I left off with my reading. I'm also setting aside some extra time today to catch up. Reading the Bible daily should not feel like a burden or a chore, rather a time to get alone with God and learn more about him and his character. A time to rejuvenate. Almost like a day at the spiritual spa.
Now doesn't that sound grand. I think so.

Eat from the Pantry- Meal Plan

How are you doing so far? If you have not yet started it's not too late. Although it's still early DH and I are actually talking about doing this quarterly. We'll see. Looks like we'll have at least 17 dinners not counting leftovers.

Here's what we'll be eating for the rest of the month, or at least until I need to buy more meat (In no particular order)

I'll come back and link up recipes on some of the items I'm "creating" if they turn out ok.

1. Vegetable Beef Soup
2. Whole oven roasted mojo chicken, rice and a peas
3. Ropa vieja with white rices
4. Orange chicken, teriyaki noodles and peas
5. Chili with rice for the adults & mini hot dogs and sauteed veggies
   
6. Meatballs with brown gravy, mash potatoes and green beans
7. Turkey, cranberry roll, corn, mash potatoes, gravy
   
8. Beef tacos with usual toppings
   
9. Beef, bean & cheese burritos
   
10. Turkey bake - a casserole utilizing left over turkey
    
11. pot roast with fresh veggies over egg noodles
12. loaded baked potatoes- utilizing left over broccoli & cheese and chili
13. mini meat pies, bow tie pasta and corn
    
14. whole roasted chicken, au gratin potatoes and green beans
15. home made mac n cheese with diced ham
16. sun dried tomato rotini with chicken
17. breakfast (yes for dinner) sausage, pancakes and eggs
18. mini weiners, chili, mac n cheese

Desserts along the way

1. Pound cake with strawberries, blueberries and whipped topping
2. Banana bread
3. Coffee Cake Strudel
4. Jello
5. Chocolate chip cookies
   

Once we've eaten through 1/2 to 3/4 of the list I will re-inventory to see where we stand. If all goes as I hope this list will carry us right through til the middle of the 3rd week of January.

The "LIST" for 2010

I decided I'd jump on the "Resolution" bandwagon this year. After all its a familiar place; one in which I've fallen off of at least a dozen times or so over the course of my life. But this year I told myself would be different-or at least I'd hope so. I have to be frank with you, I didn't spend much time thinking about it, perhaps I should have but I decided to live on the wild side instead. So here's what I came up with in no particular order...

1. Get In Shape- The retailers already know that's on most of our lists, but I'm determined not to let them suck me into their black hole of "buy this" to make it happen.
2. Be a better steward of our finances- I've gotten much better over the last year with some hard core couponing, but I'd like to do more. I'm looking forward to utilizing the envelope system such as Dave Ramsey mentions at Financial Peace University.
3. Build a stronger relationship with the Lord. Knowing Jesus as your personal Lord & Savior is great, but there is so much more to it. I have the desire to be more like him; and one of the ways to do that is to read his word daily- The Bible. This is also why I've decided to join the many others in the "Reading the Bible in 90 days challenge" .
4. Be a better Wife & Mother- I want spend more quality time with my Dear Husband, savor each day with my little ones as they grow, and utilize creativity as we create new memories.
5. Be a better manager of my time & become more organized- I am such a procrastinator at heart, its really a shame. I also seem to have an obsession with paper~ this too must end!

I'd say that's all in a nut shell. I've got my work cut out for me after all. But I was reminded of something as I scrawled down my list. The Lord wants me to succeed, so much so he gave me the following verses to stand on as a reminder.

1. 1Corinthians 6:19-20

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

2. Proverbs 21:20

In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.

3. John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

4. Proverbs 31

5. Ecclesiastes 10:18

If a man is lazy the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks

And lastly one verse that applies to all areas; Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.

Isn't that glorious!!

Eat from the Pantry Challange

Last week while visiting two blogs that I frequent I came across this great challenge and decided this was right up my alley. Thanks to Fishmama & Crystal for letting us know about it! I am hoping to spend $60 a week for dairy, fruit and veggies and other items we may need for a family of four. For us that in of itself may present a challenge as my DH "needs" his soda, I "need" my tea and our entire family are big milk drinkers.

So this is what I came up with after taking inventory of my pantry and freezer...

Fri 1/1 we had a late breakfast- breakfast pizza utilizing left over ham, onion, cheeses, peppers and of course eggs. The crust was purchased previously in anticipation for this meal. Lunch was skipped and dinner was entirely comprised of left over goodies from the night before.

Sat 1/2 Breakfast -cereal for some, eggs for others. Lunch was left over ham again but this time added into left over mac n cheese with broccoli. I wasn't feeling too ambitious for dinner, but was pleasantly surprised with the outcome of this meal. I used a package of Knoor tomato parmesan noodles and added diced tomatoes italian style as well as a package of pre-cooked chicken purchased previously. You know it was good when my DH says it tasted better than Hamburger Helper. Come to think of doesn't anything semi-homemade taste better than that stuff. Hope I don't offend anyone, after all I eat the stuff myself from time to time.

Sun 1/3 Breakfast- the usual. Lunch- we actually took with us to church, left over pizza from a outing DH went on with some of his buddies. Dinner- Vegetable Beef Soup.

Thus far it has been such a glorious feeling either creating something out of nothing or having all ingredients on hand and not having to run to the store. We are truly heading in the right direction. Can' wait to see what the rest of the week brings. I will post the rest of our planned menu shortly.

Welcome

Hello there!! Just as alphabet soup is comprised of mixed veggies, a savory broth and a multitude of tiny letter shaped noodles- my blogs intent is to also be a collage of ingredients. Tiny tidbits of life's challenges, success and the pursuit of a deeper relationship with Christ. Not to mention a dash of "would be" or "soon to be" homeschooling mom (Yep, that's ME). Oh, and I forgot to mention, novice blogger. I hope you will join me as I share life's journey with you. So come on, pull up your chair and enjoy a little bit of Alphabet Soup!