Saving Families Money Since 2007
I was honored to be interviewed by Sarah and Beth Anne on the Brilliant Business Moms Podcast.
If you’re interested in hearing what’s working for me on Pinterest and Facebook or how I don’t do it all, be sure to listen in to this interview.
Mastering Evernote — I downloaded this book when it was available for free from Amazon. Why? Because people are always singing the praises of Evernote to me and I just can’t get into it. I figured I should read through this book to see if I could be otherwise convinced. Well, instead of convincing me to start using Evernote, it convinced me that my current system is working quite fine.
Nurturing the Soul of Your Family — I disagreed with quite a bit of the underlying beliefs of the author of this book, but was inspired by some of the contents. I especially appreciated the focus on making time to fill up your soul instead of just rushing through life and trying to make it through your to-do list.
Books I Hope to Finish This Week
I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t) — I’ve had this one started for quite awhile, and it’s good. It’s just deep and it’s taking me awhile to get through!
A Proper Pursuit — I’ve not started this book yet, but am really hoping to finally get this book read this week while we’re traveling!
Addicted to Busy — This was another book that I found when looking for another title and thought it looked like a good read. Have you read it?
You and Me Forever — Multiple readers have said that I MUST read this book, so I’m excited to dive into it!
Me Before You — My friend, Ginger, told me this was one of her very favorite books so I knew I had to read it.
What have you read recently? What are you planning to read this week? Any good book recommendations for me?
I’m so thrilled that I actually get to cross a lot of things off my list this week — yay! We’re traveling back to Kansas this week, so I’m going to stick with six goals again to keep it simple and realistic.
Last week’s goals:
Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals
1. At least 3 days, read aloud with the kids and/or listen to Kathrynne read Sir Bentley.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.Personal Goals
3. Work on reviewing and memorizing Romans 1 and Romans 2:1-3.
4. Finish at least two books.
5. Run or exercise at least 4 times.Business Goals
6. Finish chapters 8 and 9 of my book manuscript, start on chapter 10.
This week’s goals:
Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals
1. Read aloud with the kids and/or listen to Kathrynne read Sir Bentley at least three days.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
Personal Goals
3. Work on reviewing and memorizing Romans 1 and Romans 2:1-3.
4. Finish at least two books.
5. Run or exercise at least 4 times.
Business Goals
6. Review/do final edits for chapters 1-9 of my book. Work on chapter 10.
How did you do on last week’s goals? What are your goals for this week? I’d love to have you share your progress on last week’s goals and your goals for this coming week in the comments. Of, if you’ve blogged about it, leave your direct link below. Let’s cheer each other on to live purposeful and productive lives! You can download a free customizable weekly goal-planning sheet here.
Guest post from Asheritah of One Thing Alone
Are you looking for a cheap weekend getaway before the busyness of the holidays sets in? Here’s how my husband and I went on “vacation” for less than $2 and had a blast:
Although our total vacation cost was less than $2, we originally started with a budget of $250 for a two-night vacation. Even with a $250 budget, we knew would would need to get creative and stay locally.
I asked friends for local recommendations and settled on a nearby national state park. Staying local meant we saved on transportation and maximized our limited time frame. And due to our fuel-efficient Corolla, we got great mileage on our short drive. It’s a win-win.
Total spent on fuel: $14.50
During my online search for local vacation destinations, I found a resort offering a free 3-day/2-night stay.
Though I was suspicious at first, I called the number provided and was greeted by a courteous customer service rep who confirmed the deal if I sat through a 2-hour, no-obligation presentation. I agreed!
Total spent on lodging = $0
The cabin we stayed in had a fully-functional kitchen, complete with fridge, stove, microwave, pots, pans, and dishes.
Since I knew this ahead of time, I packed cold cuts, tomatoes, cereal, milk, and leftovers. We also enjoyed homemade brownies, my mom’s baklava (both of which I packed from home), and ice cream on the ranch as desserts.
Unfortunately, I forgot to pack water, so we ended up paying a premium for two gallons of water. Lesson learned.
Total spent on food = $13
Since we were saving on housing, transportation, and fuel, I wanted to splurge on activities we wouldn’t normally do.
We rented a canoe (which was a first for my husband) and we planned to go horseback riding, but the stable had to cancel for whatever reason. So instead, we hiked the trails, went mountain biking, played ping pong, table pool, Scrabble, watched America’s Ninja Warrior, went star-gazing, and swam in the pool and the lake.
We also had LOTS of good conversations about what we want our lives to look like after we pay off the house. Sometimes it’s good to remember what we’re aiming for so that we can stay on track.
Total spent on activities = $24
Remember earlier, when I call the resort’s customer service number to inquire about the free 3-day/2-night stay? Well, when I was on the phone with them, I asked if there were any additional perks.
They quickly offered to throw in an extra $50 gas card if we attended the presentation that weekend!! Done and done!
Total SAVINGS = $50
While it wasn’t the most spectacular getaway we’ve experienced, it definitely was a lot of fun to spend time together without breaking the bank. And it brought us into the homestretch to fulfill our dream of financial independence.
Saving money doesn’t mean depriving yourself of fun experiences. With a little work and a lot of creativity, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: a tight budget AND a great vacation!
Asheritah is a writer, speaker, and blogger who helps overwhelmed women find joy in Jesus through her blog One Thing Alone. There she offers written encouragement, short video devotionals, and beautiful Scripture art. She’d love to share a streusel blueberry muffin and hear your story there.
Health Food Store
3 Navel Oranges – $0.59 each
1 loaf Rudi’s Organic Bread – Marked down to $0.99
1 pkg Rudi’s English Muffins – Marked down to $0.99
1 pkg Kale – Marked down to $0.99
Total with tax ($0.34): $5.08
Aldi
2 Cucumbers – $0.69 each
2 Acorn Squash – $0.69 ach
1 Pineapple – $1.29
1 dozen Eggs – $1.19
1 pkg Tortillas – $1.39
2 cans Green Beans – $0.49 each
1 gallon Milk – $2.39
1 pkg Rice Cakes – $1.29
Total with tax ($0.81): $12.10
Dillons
4 pkg Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – $5.99 each (Such a great price! I had to stock up.)
2 pkg Pillsbury Toaster Strudel – $1.67 each, used 2 $0.75/1 printable – $0.92 each after coupons (And get $0.50 back from SavingStar!)
1 Kroger Cottage Cheese – $1.34
1 Kroger Frozen Orange Juice – $1.59
1 Kroger Sour Cream – $1.33
1 Kroger Cream Cheese – $1
4.78 lbs Bananas (Marked down to $0.25/lb) – $1.20 (I will freeze these to use in smoothies and muffins.)
1 bag Kroger Potatoes – $1.49
1 bag Kroger Brown Rice – $1
2 pkg Starkist Tuna – $1 each, used $1/2 printable – $0.50 each after coupon
1 Spaghetti Sauce- $1.
1 Romaine Lettuce – $0.99
Total with tax ($3.10): $41.13
Homeland
5 cans Tomato Soup – $0.69 each, used $1/5 printable (doubled) – $0.29 each after coupon
3 cans Libby’s Fruit CockTail – $1 each, used $1/3 printable (doubled)- $0.37 each after coupon
1 Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough – $2.50, used $1/1 printable (doubled – no longer available) – $0.50 each after coupon
1 Fiora Toilet Paper – $1.79, used $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $0.79 after coupon
0.89 lbs Squash @ $1.59/lb – $1.42 (This was marked as $0.69/lb but didn’t ring up as that and I didn’t notice it until I got home. Oh well.)
2 pkg Flour – $1.29 each
Total with tax ($0.92): $8.66
Total for all grocery items: $67.69
Cereal, Toast & Juice, Eggs & Bacon, Smoothies
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Leftovers, Tossed Salad, Macaroni and Cheese, Tuna Sandwiches
Goulash, Toasted English Muffins, Sliced Oranges
Slow Cooker Black Bean Chicken, Sautéed Squash
Crock Pot Chicken Green Beans & Potatoes, Banana Muffins
Oven Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Tossed Salad
Sausage Egg Casserole, Fruit Salad
Black Bean Quesadillas, Tossed Salad, Squash
Baked Potato Bar, Steamed Broccoli
Guest post from Adeline of Frugal Fanatic
Now that school has started, you may have noticed how quickly all of the different costs add up. Not only did you need to purchase new school clothes and supplies at the beginning of the year, but now you have to figure out how you are going to afford school lunches.
Many parents plan ahead and budget for school supplies throughout the school year, but they forget about school lunches. Having your child buy their lunch from the school each day will quickly add up.
You want to send your child to school with a healthy lunch, but you do not want to spend a ton of money. Here are 5 ways to save money on school lunches.
Lunch does not have to be a sandwich every day. Invest in an insulated container that will keep food hot or cold. Leftovers from the night before are perfect. When you make some of your child’s favorite meals you can inexpensively double the recipe to allow for extra servings for lunch.
Not only do you save money, but your child will be happy to be eating one of their favorite foods at school.
If your child likes to eat sandwiches for lunch buy the sandwich meat and cheese in unsliced blocks, and do the slicing yourself. This will save you money instead of spending more to have it sliced at the deli counter.
Even though you will be taking the time to slice it you will quickly see the savings add up.
A lot of kids love Lunchables, but they can be pretty expensive. Instead, buy containers with different size sections and make your own version of the Lunchable.
You can use crackers, meats, cheese, veggies with hummus, and fruit. Plus, you will get to use all food you just sliced from our previous tip. This is a frugal alternative and much healthier also.
Do not buy single serving packs of snacks like chips, cookies, yogurt and pudding. You are paying for the convenience factor. Instead buy larger packages and separate them into single servings yourself using bags and small containers.
This is a real money saver especially if you used reusable containers.
Do not try to force your kids to eat things they really do not like. If you send them to school with a lunch they dislike, chances are they will throw it away. That is like throwing your money in the trash!
Instead, get your kids involved int he lunch-packing process and try to compromise — finding healthy foods that they love and will eat.
It may be difficult at first, but once you get into a routine and find out some of your child’s favorite foods, you can save money while still packing foods they enjoy.
If you are already calculating how much money you are going to spend this school year, try some of these ways to save money on school lunches. You can be frugal and still give your kids a healthy and tasty lunch each day.
What tips do you have for saving money on school lunches?
Addi Ganley is a work-at-home mom of 3 young boys. Her blog, Frugal Fanatic, focuses on how to live a frugal lifestyle. She is passionate about saving money and believes that if you save where you can then you can spend where you want to. Frugal Fanatic is her way of helping other people learn how to manage their finances in every day life.
Biggest grocery success of the week: finding huge boxes of reduced produce at the Farmer’s Market and walking away with enough produce to last us for weeks – all for $11.50!!
Biggest grocery failure of the week: somehow losing the pictures documenting this success. I have looked EVERYWHERE on my camera, and they are just not there. (Seriously!! How can you lose pictures on a camera?) So you will just have to use your imagination. 🙂
Another grocery success this week was trying the $1.69/lb ground turkey from Aldi for the first time – and my husband gave it a thumbs-up! Thanks so much for all of you that gave suggestions and encouragement to me last week! I mixed the turkey with rice, beans, and taco seasonings (and yes, I realize that you could mix just about anything with rice, beans, and taco seasonings and it would taste good, but that’s beside the point) and we used it in taco salad. Yum!
2 3-lb bags Golden Delicious Apples (@$0.69/lb) – $4.14, plus receive $0.50 back from Snap by Groupon
1 10-lb bag Russet Potatoes – $3.49
2 2-lb bags Honeycrisp Apples (@$1.29/lb) – $5.16
1 3-ct package Romaine Hearts – $1.99
1 Pineapple – $1.29
3 Pomegranates (@$0.69/each) – $2.07
1 bunch Bananas (2.76 lbs @$0.44/lb) – $1.21, receive $0.25 back from Checkout 51
Tortilla Chips – $1.19
2 32-oz cartons Half and Half (@1.69/each) – $3.38
1 8-oz package Cream Cheese – $0.99
1 16-oz package Baby Carrots – $0.99
1 dozen Eggs – $1.39
1 gallon Milk – $3.69, plus receive $1.00 back from Snap by Groupon
Total: $30.98, plus receive $1.50 back from Snap by Groupon and $0.25 back from Checkout 51
1 carton Egg Whites – $3.97
2 16-oz packages Turkey Bacon (@$2.50/each) – $5.00, used 2 $0.75/1 Printable (doubled) – $1.00/each after coupons
1 Cabbage (@$0.39/lb) -$1.37
1 2-liter bottle Cheerwine – $1.00, used .50/1 SS 10/6 (doubled) – FREE after coupons
1 bag Harris Teeter Shredded Cheese -$1.67
4 cans Progresso Soup – $5.30, used 2 $0.50/2 Progresso Product, exp. 12/13/14 (SS 10/19/14) (doubled), plus $1.00 Harris Teeter evic – $2.30/4 after coupons, plus receive $1.50 catalina for buying 4 (this works out to $0.20 each, and is worth it to me since my husband like taking these to work for his lunch)
2 bags Food Should Taste Good Multigrain Tortilla Chips (@$2.00/each) – $4.00, used 2 $0.75/1 Printable (doubled) – $0.50/each after coupons
1 package Sargento Muenster Cheese Slices – $3.00, used $0.55/1 Printable (doubled), plus $0.55/1 Harris Teeter evic – $1.35 after coupons
2 containers McCormick Cinnamon (B1G1 @ $1.79) – $1.79, used $1.75/2 McCormick Spices or Herbs, exp. 11/2/14 (RP 10/05/14) – $0.02/each after coupons
Total after all Coupons, Sales and Tax: $13.70, plus receive $1.50 catalina back
(not pictured)
1 box of green beans, reduced (about 13 lbs) – $5.00
1 huge box of assorted fresh vegetables including zucchini, yellow squash, red peppers, green peppers, cucumbers, cabbage, and hot peppers – $5.00
1 3-lb bag Apples – $1.50
Total: $11.50
Weekly Menu Plan
Breakfasts
Oatmeal and fruit x 5, Cinnamon Rolls and Eggs, Cereal
Lunches
Shared lunch at the park with friends – I am bringing fruit for everyone; Grilled Cheese Sandwiches/Fresh Veggies and Fruit x 2; Leftovers x 2; Baked Potatoes with Cheese and Broccoli/Fruit x 2,
Dinners
Dinner Out with Friends
Oatmeal Pecan Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Turkey Bacon (breakfast for dinner)
Hamburger Vegetable Soup (using ground turkey instead of hamburger), Homemade Whole Wheat Bread
Dinner with our Shepherding Group at Church
Taco Salad (back by multiple requests!), Steamed Cauliflower
Dinner at a Friend’s House – I am bringing Freezer-Friendly Pumpkin Bars
Leftovers
Snacks/Desserts
Popcorn
Dessert Night with Friends (I am hosting): Homemade Caramel Corn, Apple Slices with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Dip, Freezer-Friendly Pumpkin Bars
Can I just be really honest with you tonight? You know what one of the hardest parts about blogging has been for me?
It’s that some readers want me to be perfect.
I know they’d probably never say out loud, “I expect you to be perfect,” but if I admit that I failed at something or am struggling with something, they are disappointed and they voice that disappointment.
Here’s the thing: I understand that part of blogging in a public forum is the fact that I’m choosing to let people into my life. I’m choosing to open up myself and our family and our choices to other people’s really honest opinions.
I get that. And I own that.
But at the same time, in the past, it’s held me back from sharing candidly about certain topics that I’d really like to blog about. Why? Because I know that writing about certain topics means other people are going to voice their opinions over my decisions and or be disappointed in my short-comings.
More and more, though, I’m becoming okay with it. Because I realize that it’s exhausting to try to please everyone.
I don’t have it altogether.
I sometimes yell at my kids.
I get frustrated with my husband.
I don’t always want to make meals from scratch.
I sometimes (usually?) let my laundry pile up way too high.
I’m often running late.
I have many moments where I feel so very inadequate to be sharing anything in a blog post or a book or on a stage because I feel like I’m such a mess myself.
A few days ago, I wrote a post about quitting my cutting back on caffeine goal for this month. I know it was the right decision and most of you cheered me on in it or even expressed relief that I gave up my lofty goal.
A few people weren’t so thrilled with me. They wrote in annoyed that commentors would be supportive of me and a some even strongly chided me for not following through with my goal.
I’m sure these readers meant well, but in each case, they didn’t know me or my family personally. In addition, they didn’t know that the next few weeks are some of the fullest weeks I’ll probably have all year long (we have multiple trips + some big projects to complete) and I can’t be dragging or running on weird sleep patterns. I have to do what’s best for my family and myself and I have follow my own advice to give myself grace — even if it means that I disappoint a few readers.
What I’m learning, though, is that when I share my short-comings and struggles, I may disappoint a few people. But ultimately, I will encourage many, many more people.
It helps others know that they aren’t alone in their struggles. We’re in this together.
We’re learning right along with each other. We’re stumbling. We’re falling down. We’re making mistakes. And we’re here to encourage each other to get back up, keep pressing forward, keep doing the best you can do with the time and resources we have.
And here’s the truth: I’d rather disappoint a few people and be a completely honest and authentic blogger who shares my struggles and success than try to pretend like I have it altogether and make the majority of people feel like they can’t measure up.
None of us have it altogether. None of us are perfect. But we can all learn from each other, inspire each other, and cheer each other on — in both our struggles and successes.
When we are honest and authentic with each other, we are all stronger for it. Who’s with me? 🙂
Target Shopping Trip
Transaction #1
The following were a part of the Buy 3 participating products, Get $5 Target gift card:
1 Icy Hot Gel – $4.99
1 Icy Hot Advanced Relief – $5.49
1 Allegra Anti-Itch Cream – $4.59
Used 2 $1/1 printable here and here
And used $3/2 Target printable
And used Free $5 Target gift card when you buy $15 in personal careTotal with tax ($0.16): $10.23, Received 2 $5 Target gift cards
Transaction #2
2 Pull-Ups – $7.99 each
Used 2 $2.25/1 printable (no longer available)
And used 2 $2/1 printableUsed gift cards from Transaction #1
Free after coupons and gift cards
Total for both transactions before coupons and sales: $33.21
Total for both transactions after coupons, sales and gift cards: $10.23
Testimonial from Samantha
About 9 months ago, we found out that my daughter had autism, it was a shock and has been something we have spent these last 9 months dealing with, as well as proactively seeking treatment for her.
We have gone the traditional routes with speech, occupational, and physical therapies for her (which are thankfully covered by insurance) as well as the biomedical route.
We also immediately started her on a Gluten-free, Casein-free diet. It is expensive but I have been able to find great deals using the coupons and match-up from your weekly Organic and Natural coupon posts.
One thing that kept coming up in my web research was a cookbook called “Special Diets for Special Kids“. I really wanted this cookbook, but couldn’t justify the splurge on our already tight budget — so I check my Swagbucks and saw that I had enough gift cards to cash out for $25 (which was enough to pay for the book!)
Another route I have been researching (and was happy to see your post on) was essential oils. I am trying go avoid medications whenever possible, but still keep my family healthy.
While we are somewhat obsessive about hand washing and have started taking a daily multivitamin and even probiotics, I wanted to try some essential oils too. I have been able to purchase “Essential Oils for the Healthy Child” as well as few synergy blends from Plant Therapy using my various on-line earnings, as well as a sample pack from Native American Nutritionals.
So how have I been able to make money online?
Most of the ideas below came directly from your website!!
I try to run the Swagbucks TV app on my phone or tablet throughout the day as well as do the Daily Poll, Encrave, NOSO, and Discover Content.
I have also signed up with several survey companies including Pinecone, MyPoints, Opinion Outpost, Survey Spot, Inbox Dollars, and MySurvey.
While I don’t do those every day or even every week, when I get a free moment or while I’m watching TV with my husband, I will do a few surveys. I have earned about $10 or more from each of those survey companies — which I then cash out to my PayPal account.
My final avenue of income as a SAHM is coupon apps such as Ibotta, Jingit, Shopmium, Checkout 51, and Saving Star.
I check each of those after a trip to the grocery store and upload receipts to those for matching offers. Most of those have a PayPal option as well, which I often choose.
This has been a hard year for us, both emotionally and financially, with little money to throw around. But with using my precious free time (I don’t have much as a mommy to 2 preschoolers and an infant) I have been able to make a bit of extra cash to purchase some helpful items for my daughter and my family as a whole.
Thank you!
Has it really been over three weeks since I did a Peek Into Week post?? I always have every intention to do one of these posts each week. And then, well, life happens… 🙂
Home Ec class one day: prepping food together for some new friends we had over for dinner! So fun to work together like this! And yes, I’m not sure exactly what kind of hairstyle Kaitlynn is sporting! 🙂
I made some Homemade Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies. This has been a family favorite recipe for years. I love that you can make the dough ahead of time and freeze it in balls. Then just pull out a few — or a dozen! — and have fresh baked cookies whenever you’d like!
We took our kids to the Compassion Experience that was set up here for a few days. Walking through it and seeing the poverty that kids around the world experience reminded us a lot of our time in the Dominican Republic.
We so appreciate the work Compassion is doing around the world to release children from poverty. Our whole family has been blessed by the opportunity to sponsor two girls, correspond with them, and learn more about where they live and the struggles they face.
So grateful for this energetic, analytic, detail-oriented boy of mine. He keeps me on my toes, keeps us in line (he always has a running mental list of what we need to buy at the grocery store!), and amazes us with his math skills (he taught himself subtraction and skip-counting earlier this year, he just learned three-digit addition and carrying by sitting in on Kaitlynn’s 3rd grade school lessons, and now he’s asking if we can teach him multiplication and division!)
I hope he never outgrows his need for mama snuggles… The highlight of the end of every day for me!
Guess who flew to TN for my birthday?? Yes, my mom and dad!! They did a bunch of house projects for us — like switching around bedrooms in order to make office space for me in this house — and also babysat our kids so Jesse and I could go on a date.
My mom and I had a date one of the afternoons. We enjoyed yummy salads and heart-to-heart conversations outside on the porch at Frothy Monkey — one of our favorite places in downtown Franklin.
It was fun to be quoted in the October issue of Southwest Air magazine!
Someone asked me a few days ago, “Where do you see yourself in two years from now?” My response: “God’s plans for my life have been so crazily beyond what I could have ever dreamed that I’m just trusting Him for light for the next step. I’ll take that next step and then trust Him for light for the next.”
Whether today’s “next thing” is cleaning a toilet, doing a national media interview, folding laundry, speaking to a large audience, hanging out with my family, or writing a book… I just want to be faithful and continually seek the Lord’s guidance and direction to do what He calls me to.
I “Trim Healthy Mama-fied” the Blueberry Crisp from Bread & Wine and it is SO good! Get the recipe here.
I cannot believe how much I love this way of eating… I never thought that sweet-tooth, carb-loving me would survive without sugar and lots of carbs. But I’m not just surviving; I’m thriving — and it’s been five months now, so I think we might be able to officially declare it a lifestyle change??
The kids have been taking a lot more initiative around the house recently and are SUCH big helps!
We’ve been having Laundry Parties at night. We have so much fun and get so much done when we all work together. And when Mom’s excited about it, the attitude is usually contagious! 🙂
I’m so proud of my girl for punching fear in the face and swimming in her first swim meet! She was so nervous about it, but she went out there, smiled, held her head up high, and swam in three different races.
She inspires me to be brave and courageous even when I feel timid and scared.
We are loving this new book from Lysa TerKeurst! It’s such a beautiful story with so much depth and meaning. I wanted to just read it over and over as I needed to hear the simple, but profound message.
Are you struggling, overwhelmed, or discouraged right now? Remember this: your Heavenly Father sees, He hears, and He is watching over you… It will be okay.
Grandma sent new colored pencils and crayons in the mail recently, so this has been a scene we’ve seen a lot at our house. I love that my kids all still enjoy hanging out together and doing simple things like this. It warms my mama heart.
{And lest you think our home is all roses and rainbows, in full disclosure, there was an argument and crying almost as soon as I snapped this serene-looking photo!}
Coloring is so cathartic, even at age 33! I need to do this more often as my kids were like, “Mom, we love to see you coloring.” 🙂
You can take the girl out of Kansas but you can’t take the Kansas out of the girl. 🙂
I’m so proud of my boys in blue and that they made it to the World Series and are 1-1!!! We loved Wednesday night’s game especially. Halfway through the game, Silas (a DIE HARD Royals fan and Mr. baseball stat encyclopedia) said, “They are on fire in Kansas City tonight!”
#GoRoyals
A few days after her first swim meet, Kathrynne had her second swim meet.
Her coach put her in six different events and she was a nervous wreck after the first heat. But she took deep breaths, toweled off, and jumped in and swam again. And again.
By event #3, her whole demeanor had changed and she just totally starting attacking the water with fierce intensity. My heart was just about ready to burst!
I’m loving seeing my kids blossom and overcome fear like this. Also, I love how this is such a family affair and how engaged Jesse is in helping Kathrynne excel (see him giving her a pep talk and walking her through her next event above.)
Oh me, oh my! I Trim-Healthy-Mamafied a Starbucks Hot Cocoa recipe!!!! And it’s delicious and good for you, too! You better believe I did a happy dance!
Recipe is here, in case you want to join me in drinking this deliciousness!
This is what’s been stirring in my heart recently and I have a full post coming on it soon. One child in particular has really been going through a tough time and I’ve been frustrated and at my wit’s end over this child.
Last week, God really convicted me to do something to show love to this child every time I was tempted to lash out in frustration. Well, guess what? This week there has been remarkable difference in this child’s demeanor and behavior. Love works!
So that’s what’s been happening around our house. What has been happening at YOUR house? Anything exciting or hard or interesting? Tell us about it in the comments.
I hinted around about it last week, but the cat’s officially coming out of the bag tonight. And I couldn’t be more thrilled and excited and, well, a little scared, too. 🙂
But it’s good to step out of your comfort zone and do things that scare you a tiny bit, right?
So, here’s our big news: my team and I are currently developing a line of organizational and inspirational products!
If all goes as planned, we’ll be launching this product line in-stores nationwide in 2015! It’s a little bit mind-blowing to me at this point how all of this has come together — especially because it’s the realization of a long-time big, crazy dream of mine!
We’re working with an amazing company on this and I cannot wait to tell you more about this company, their commitment to giving back and making a global impact, and the story of how this product line came to be.
Would You Fill Out This Quick Survey?
We want to do our best to meet YOUR needs with this product line, so we’d love your input. Can you take a few minutes to fill out this simple survey for us?
All answers are anonymous. Feel free to skip any question that you don’t know the answer to or would prefer not to answer.
Click Here to Fill Out the Survey
Thank you so very much! And thank you for being on this journey with me and for all of your support over the years. You all bless me each and every day.
Today’s questions is from Sara:
What is the best, most frugal store or website to buy new toddler clothes?
I’ve been blessed to have a friend supply nearly all of my daughter’s clothes through hand-me-downs, but now that friend is moving away, and I’ve been caught off guard.
I have tried shopping clearance sales and thrift stores, but everything is out of season at this point, and we’re headed quickly towards cold weather with only three long-sleeved shirts. I am employed out of the home full time, so time is a precious resource as well.
Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.
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