Saving money, making money...free offer. Whew. :)

Ok, so I wasn't sure how to get this word out, so I thought this would be best. As most of you probably know, I've been homeschooling Kai in kindergarten this year. We use Sonlight curriculum, which has been absolutely wonderful. As I was looking through the curriculum book list, I realized that many of them were Usborne books. We love Usborne books (in fact, my kids regularly fall asleep with them.) A couple of ladies in our church who are homeschooling (or planning to homeschool) sell these books. Since we already are purchasing these books and absolutely love them, I thought I'd sign up to sell them too. The only reason I'm willing to do this is because there are no quotas, no required amounts to sell, you get the start up kit and you're in for life. The books are reasonably priced, educational and I can use my own books as display. Super easy and extremely low commitment. I have three kids under four, one on the way, homeschool and run a non-profit. I don't have time to be trying to sell stuff. But if I can get the books cheap/free, make a little extra money and make a product we already love available to the people we love, sign me up! :)

So the reason for this post is NOT to get you to go buy Usborne books from me. In fact it's just an offer. The January deal for signing up was buy one kit get one free. Obviously I have no need for two kits. So I have a free one to give away. If any of you, (perhaps you stay at home moms), would like to look into this opportunity, feel free to check out www.Usborne.com and have a look around. If it seems like something that might interest you (who doesn't love free books???), let me know and I'll get you the link for the free kit. (the kit alone includes 8 books, so there's 8 free books right off the bat) There is no more required cost after this kit, so if the kit is free...well...you can do the math. :)

Just wanted to give this away in case someone else was interested.

Friday Freebies

Miscellaneous Free Deals:

Friday (1/21) between 7 am and 4 pm ONLY, you can go HERE to subscribe to the Sunday St Louis Post Dispatch for $.99 each plus get a FREE Shop N Save gift card for up to $40.
The Sunday paper is normally $2. So this is a pretty good deal if you get it every week anyway.

Go HERE to download a FREE eCookbook: 39 Appetizer Recipes and Party Pleasers, features 60 pages of recipes for easy appetizers and party pleasers! The recipes include chicken wing recipes, dips and spreads, bruschetta, and a whole lot more.

Head over HERE to download 2 FREE Valentine’s Day Craft Books – Cupid’s Handmade Crafts eBook and Valentine’s Day Crafts from Famous Bloggers

Get a Free Photo Pursebook from Walgreens now thru 1/22! Use the code PURSE at checkout to get this deal! Just pay shipping

Head over to Pampers and register to receive a FREE Potty Training Kit!
Kit includes:
Free Easy Ups Sample
Stickers & Chart
High Value coupons
Dora or Diego Trophy
You will be able to select “girl” or “boy” when you fill out the form. Limit one per household

Head over HERE to get a FREE Betty Crocker Soups, Stews, and Chili’s eCookbook

FREE Blockbuster Movie Rental: Use code MRC37H to get a one night FREE movie rental (code expires 2/25/11)

Get a coupon for a FREE can of Chef Boyardee. This is for the first 50,000 only and should arrive by mail.

Hubby and I love Sister Hazel, so this one was very exciting! Go HERE to get 8 FREE Sister Hazel song downloads!

Free Events:

This Saturday, 1/22, Lowes will have another FREE Build & Grow Workshop for kids.
The project this week - they can build a Ball Toss Game!
Go HERE for more details and to register.

Free Samples:

Go over HERE to request a FREE sample of Cover Girl Natureluxe foundation. Allow up to 4 weeks for delivery.

Go HERE to request a FREE Sample of DenTek Comfort Clean Floss Picks! Allow up to 6 weeks for delivery.

Go HERE to the Walmart site, to request a FREE sample of Beneful Brand Dog Food IncrediBites

Head over HERE to request a FREE Sample of John Frieda Hair Care Products!

Go HERE to request a FREE Sample of new Lacoste Joy Of Pink Perfume

Valspar is giving away 1,000 Paint Project starter kits, each day for 100 days! The project starter kit includes: your choice of color 8oz sample of paint, mini roller, tray, coordinating color chips and a $5 off coupon!!
Head over to the Valspar Paint Facebook Page to get yours!

Sign up HERE to get a FREE BeingGirl Sample Kit! The kit includes 3 Tampax Pearl Tampons (1 Regular, 1 Light, 1 Compak Light), 2 Always Ultra Thin Pads (1 Regular, 1 Long/Super) & 2 Always Thin Liners.

Head over HERE to request a FREE Sample of All Natural Young Again Cat Food

Walmart has a new FREEBIE available for us!! Go HERE to request a FREE Sample of Nexxus Pro Mend! Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery

Go HERE to get a FREE sample of Rimmel's new Sweet Jelly Lip Gloss.

Go HERE to get a FREE sample pack of Olay products.

Go HERE to get a FREE sample of Crest 3D White Whitestrips.

Go HERE to get a FREE Power Bar Gel Blast sample.

Go HERE for a FREE sample of Maggi Soup.

Store Deals:

Schnucks:
Hartz Crunch & Clean Dog Treats $2Use $2/1 Coupon (1/9 SS)Final Price= FREE

Walgreens:
Vicks VapoDrops $.99Use $1/1 Any Vicks Product Coupon (12/26 or 1/16 P&G)Final Price = FREE

Vicks Products $5(20 ct. NyQuil or DayQuil or 10 oz. Liquid, 6 oz. Formula 44)Get $10 RR wyb $20 worthWORKING THIS DEAL:Buy (4) Sinex NyQuil or DayQuilUse (4) $4/1 Sinex Coupon (12/26 P&G)Final Price = All 4 FREE + $6 Money Maker

Joint Juice Glucosamine Chondroitin (20 oz) $10Get $10 RR wyb 1Use $1/1 Joint Juice Printable HERE or FF HEREFinal Price = FREE + $1 Money Maker

ThermaCare Pain Relief $2.50(trial size neck, shoulder & wrist heatwrap)Get $2.50 RR wyb 1Use $1/1 Printable Coupon HEREFinal Price = FREE + $1 Money Maker

Full fast Appetite Control Spray (2 oz) $10Get $10 RR wyb 1Final Price = FREE

Target:
Reach Dental Floss $.97(look for the Green & Black Package in the regular denatl care aisle)Use $1/1 Reach Floss Coupons.com or SmartSourceFinal Price = FREE

Good Life Recipe Food for Cats (3.5 oz trays) $.77Use $1/1 Coupon (no size restrictions) (1/2 RP)Final Price = FREE


Restraunt Deals:

Print THIS COUPON to get a FREE Waffle at Waffle House! Coupon Expires 3/1/11! Limit one coupon per customer.

When you “LIKE” O’Charley’s on Facebook you will be able to print a coupon for a FREE Appetizer when you purchase an entree.

Thankful Thursday: Feeding the Hungry

While I believe that this life is temporary and the well-being of a person's soul is of far more importance than their body, I think it is absolutely foolish to ignore the physical needs of those around us. Meeting someone's needs on a practical level is of extreme importance.

Matthew 25 beginning in verse 35 says "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

One of the easiest ways that we can "feed the hungry" is to donate to a local food bank. If you shop smart, you can easily give, even if your budget is stretched tight. By using coupons and purchasing items when on sale, you can get items extremely cheap to free and then donate some. All it takes is just a little bit of effort to find the good deals.

Many "deals" blogs give coupon match-ups for stores each week. My very favorite of these blogs is Clippin' With Carie. She does local coupons matchups for stores in the St. Louis area, but many of them are applicable at stores across the country, such as Walgreens or Walmart. You can also find great deals at several of the blogs in the sidebar of this blog.

If you're needing to find a food pantry in your area to donate your goods to, check out Feeding America. You can search by state and it will give you a list of local food banks. I challenge you, if you aren't already, to do a little "deal shopping" and find someone to bless with your abundance. Whether it's a family you know that's down on their luck, someone who just doesn't have time or ability to get to the store, or a local ministry feeding the hungry. Find a way to pay it forward. Take care of the least of these.

Tasty um...Wednesday?: Crescent Roll Casserole

OK, so I totally missed posting this yesterday...so I guess today will have to do. I'm always hesitant to try new recipes, but I tried this one last night and it was a winner! Quick, easy, warm, filling...perfect. My husband raved and Kaytie ate all of hers then waited for Kai to go to the bathroom and slipped into his chair and ate all of his too! Haha!

It's very simple. Brown about 1lb. of ground beef (actually I used venison because it was what we had--thanks, Daddy!) and a little bit of finely chopped onion. Once it's browned, add 15 oz. of spaghetti sauce to the meat. Let it simmer a few minutes. Take one tube of crescent rolls and flatten the dough into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Top the dough with the sauce mixture. Then top that with mozzarella cheese slices. Finish it off by putting the dough from another can of crescent rolls over the top. Bake it for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. It was soooo good!

A little bit pizza, a little bit lasagna, a whole lotta delicious!

New Baby Schweitzer

This morning we had our first ultrasound of the new baby. It was quite a roller coaster of an experience. When the tech first began she said, "well, there's a gestational sac, but I don't see a baby." My stomach dropped. We'd been through this before.

Then she moved it a bit more and low and behold the tiny little baby was nestled away, almost out of sight. I was measuring just a slight bit smaller than expected, but the sweet little sugar had a perfect little heartbeat that was music to Mommy and Daddy's ears.

We go back in two weeks for another scan since the baby seemed to be hiding and they couldn't get very good measurements. But without further ado, I give you the newest member of our family...

I know it doesn't look like much, but it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen this morning. :) Hopefully baby will grow like crazy in the next two weeks.

Friday Freebies are baaaacckkk...(and early- go me!)

Restraunt Deals:

Now thru 1/25, over at Quiznos you can get FREE Chips & Regular Fountain Drink wyb any Regular Sub, Large Sub, or Regular Chopped Salad with THIS COUPON or $5 Off $25 or more Delivery Order

Go HERE to print a FREE Chicken Fajita Pita wyb a large drink Coupon from Jack in the Box!  This coupon expires 1/31/11.

You may want to pick up a Starbucks Gift Card and load maybe like $5 on it, then register your Starbucks Gift Card to make sure you are getting FREE drinks and perks from Starbucks!
**You get a FREE drink of your choice on your birthday!! (even if you don’t use the card again, that’s a FREE drink)
**You get Syrups and Soy Milk at no extra charge when paying with a registered card
**For every purchase made using your Registered Starbucks Card, you receive a star and for every 15 stars you accumulate, you will receive a postcard in the mail for a FREE drink of your choice!

At participating Arby's locations from now through 1/17/11, you can get a FREE 22 oz beverage when you purchase any size snack, using THIS COUPON.

White Castle: B1G1 FREE Breakfast Sandwich Coupon (coupon expires 1/22)

Head over HERE to print your Subway coupon good for B1G1 FREE 6 inch sub with purchase of medium drink.  Coupon expires 1/31.

Other Deals:

If you have a Kindle, here’s a FREE eBook for you!  Head over to Amazon to download a FREE copy of The Teachable Moment: Seizing the Instants When Children Learn.

Vistaprint is offering 6 of their top products FREE!  You just pay shipping and handling.
Choose from: 250 Business Cards, Photo Wall Calendar, 140 Return Address Labels, Pad of Sticky Notes, 10 Folded Note Cards or a Stamp!
Below you will find the starting shipping prices for each of the offered items:
Free Business Cards: $5.67
Calendar: $5.67
Return Address Labels: $3.07
Sticky Notes: $4.57
Note Cards: $4.68
Stamp: $6.31
Go HERE to check it out!

 FREE Sample of Playtex Sport can be found here.

Head over HERE to download The Biggest Loser and SUBWAY© Workout Mix – Wake Up and Workout.  Songs include:
“Forget You” – Cee Lo Green
“Just a Dream” – Nelly
“The Time (Dirty Bit)” – Black Eyed Peas
“We R Who We R” – Ke$ha
“DJ Got Us Fallin In Love Again” – Usher feat. Pitbull
“Whats My Name” – Rihanna feat. Drake

Go HERE to request 5 FREE NESCAFÉ® Taster’s Choice® gourmet coffee single-serve stick packs.  Allow 6 -8 week for delivery!

Go HERE to request a Free Sample of Nature’s Select Premium Pet Foods.

Visit the Flexitol website to request a FREE sample of Flexitol Medicated Foot Cream.  Look on the left side once you’ve clicked on the link, then click on ”Receive FREE Samples”.

Head on over HERE to request a Free Sample of Cinnabon Cream of Wheat. Allow up to 8 weeks for delivery.

Blockbuster Express is offering a Free One Night Rental when you use promo code ESU11B (valid thru 1/18)

Head on over HERE and log in or sign up to Disney Movie Rewards and enter code T5WM52PA7L to recieve 5 Free points.

Head over HERE to request a FREE sample of Crest 3D Whitestrips with Advanced Seal No Slip Technology!  Allow up to 4 weeks for delivery!

Go HERE to request a FREE GoodNites Sample!

Head over HERE to request a coupon for a FREE Bottle of Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce!  This coupon will get to you via snail mail!

If you are looking for something to do with the kids and want to stay out of the elements, maybe head on over to the St. Louis Science Center with this Printable B1G1 FREE admission to the Grossology Exhibit Coupon from Dierberg’s. 
FINE PRINT:  Buy 1 full price non member admission to this exhibition, receive 1 FREE ticket of equal or lesser value. Coupon expires 3/11/11! Limit 4

Go HERE to request a free hand washing timer for kids from the American Public Health Association.

Go HERE to print a rebate form for free World's Best Cat Litter.


Walmart:

Maalox Advanced Maximum Strength Chewable Tablets (90 ct) at some Walmart stores is priced from $4.52 to $4.97! (All Walmarts are different, check yours)
Use the $5/1 Coupon (1/9 SS) to get it FREE!

Target:

Over at Target the bags are priced right around $1.29
Use $.50/1 Target Store Printable Coupon
PLUS
Use  $1/1 Any Hall’s Cough Drops Printable HERE
Final Price = FREE

Reach Dental Floss $.97
Use $1/1 Reach Floss Coupons.com or SmartSource
Final Price = FREE

Good Life Recipe Food for Cats (3.5 oz trays) $.77
Use $1/1 Coupon (no size restrictions) (1/2 RP)Final Price = FREE

Walgreens:

Go! Kids Multi-Vitamin Gummies (60 ct) $5Get $5 RR wyb 1 Final Price = FREE

Stayfree 28-48 ct (Online Price  starts at $6.49)
Use B1G1 Stayfree Product Coupon (1/9 SS) (up to $6 value)
PLUS
Use $1/1 Stayfree Coupon (11/7 RP) or Printable SmartSource WORKING THIS DEAL:Buy 2 Stayfree at $6.49
HAND OVER COUPONS IN THIS ORDER:
Use B1G1 Stayfree Product Coupon (1/9 SS) (up to $6 value)
Plus
Use $1/1 Stayfree Coupon (11/7 RP) or Printable SmartSource
Plus
Use $3 Off in ad coupon (auto deducts $6)Final Price: BOTH FREE

PillGlide Spray $5 (month long deal)Get $5 RR wyb 1
Final Price = FREE


CVS:

Starting next week (1/16) over at CVS, Orbit gum will be B1G1 FREE and there is a B1G1 Pritnable Coupon available HERE and HERE (click Special Savings).

GasX/Maalox/Prevacid/BenefiberGet $10 ECB wyb $20 worth (limit 1)
COUPONS AVAILABLE:
$1/1 Gas-X Coupon (1/9 SS)
$5/1 Maalox Coupon (1/9 SS)
$3/1 Prevacid 24HR Coupon (1/9 SS)
$2/1 Benefiber Coupon (1/9 SS)DEAL IDEA:
Buy (4) Maalox prices start at $5.49 (online price) = $21.98
Use (4) $5/1 Any Maalox Product Coupons (1/9 SS) (-$20)
Pay $1.98Get $10 ECB
Final Price = 4 FREE + $8.02 Money Maker 

Lysol, Finish or Airwick (Limit 1)
Get $10 ECB wyb $20
Electrasol Finish tabs $3
Buy (7) = $21
Use (7) $2.25/1 Finish Coupon (1/2 SS)
Pay $4.75 Get $10 ECB
Final Price = FREE + $5.25 Money Maker
or
Airwick refills 2pk, Fresh Matic refill, i-motion refill or kit $5
Buy (4) i-Motion Kits = $20
Use (4) $3/1 Airwick i-Motion Coupons (1/2 SS)
Pay $8Get $10 ECB
Final Price =  FREE + $2 Money Maker

Snickers Singles $.89Get $.89 ECB (limit 1)
Final Price = Free

Hershey’s Drops or Reeses Cup Minis (king size - 2.1-2.5 oz.) $1.59Get $1.59 ECB (limit 1)
Final Price = Free

Grocery Deals:

Here’s a $1/1 Horizon Organic Product Coupon that is good on any product.  If your store sells the 8oz Singles of Horizon Organic Milk you may be able to get them super cheap to possibly FREE if they are on sale.  You should be able to print the coupon twice.

Kellogg’s is offering FREE Fiber Plus Cereal after rebate!  Print this REBATE FORM and send it in along with your receipt and proof of purchase from the box!
Use this $1/1 Fiber Plus Cereal Coupon to keep your out of pocket expenses down.

When you purchase a box of Wheatables Original or Honey Wheat submit this mail in rebate to get it FREE (up to $3.89).  Purchase by 3/30/11!  Limit 1 per household!

Go HERE to get a coupon for a free cup of Yoplait Yogurt.

Kroger:

Pure Protein Bars $1
Use B1G1 FREE Coupon (1/9 RP) and
Use $1/1 Printable HERE
Final Price= FREE wyb 2

Free Events:

The Magic House holds Target Free Family Nights every third Friday of the month from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm. These special nights enable a family (no more than two adults and four of their own children) to enjoy more than 100 hands-on exhibits in the museum at no charge through the generosity of Target. Reservations are not required. This month's date is January 21st.

Upcoming Walmart FREE Sampling Events!!  Click on EACH link separately to see the date and time your store is participating
Marathon® Protein Bar Sampling Event (1/13 – 1/16)
Sampling Event with SmartOnes® and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter (1/14 – 1/15)
Dannon® Yogurt and Citrus Sampling Event (1/14 & 1/16)
Jergens® Moisturizing Collection Sampling and Demonstration Event (1/15 – 1/16)
L’Oreal® Paris Youth Code™ Sampling and Demonstration Event (1/16)
Sampling Event with Special K® and Dannon® (1/16)
Wisk Demonstration Event (1/20)
JELL-O Temptations Sampling Event (1/20)
Walmart Game Time Sampling Event with Cheez-It and Tyson Honey BBQ Chicken Strips (1/20)

Starting today (1/13) at 6pm, head over to Borders for a Family Game Night!  If you can’t make it this time, they are also having this event the remaining Thursdays in January (1/13, 1/20 and 1/27)!  Go HERE to find a location near you!

Leaving Our Legacy

I don't usually discuss politics in this blog unless it's relating to something else. I try to just stay away from it altogether on here, simply put- because it tends to alienate people. People automatically assume you are a certain kind of person based on your political affiliation. I want this blog to be helpful, encouraging, edifying. Not a sounding board for politics.

However, with the current events that have been unfolding with this shooting in Tuscon, I think it's important, and I'll explain why in a minute. First, I want to be completely upfront. That way those who are going to shut me off because of my beliefs can do so without wasting their time by continuing to read. I am a 26 year old female conservative. I am not a republican. I am not a democrat. I am an independant and always vote according to issue and candidate. Always. However, I am both a social and fiscal conservative.

I'd like to think I'm a fairly easy person to get along with. I'm a mother of three...soon to be four. I have a bachelor's degree in Communication. I grew up blue collar, married white collar and can relate to just about anybody. I love my God, my family and my country. So that pretty much sums me up.

When elections rolled around last November, I was only too happy to get out and vote for individuals that I thought would actually represent me. Last time I checked, that was the whole point of democracy. I don't care if the person who is elected is white, female, or young...I don't care if they LOOK like me...I just want them to represent my values and defend the things that are important to me.

When Gabrielle Giffords and several other individuals were shot this past weekend, I was stunned. Just like everyone else in America. Then, sadly, I turned to my husband and said, "How long do you think it will take for conservatives to start getting blamed?" As it turned out, it had already started. They didn't even wait for the dust to settle. They didn't have any idea who the guy was who had done this or what his motives were. It didn't matter. It was an opportunity to push an agenda. "It's all those crazy right wing conservative's fault...obviously since it was a democrat who was shot."

The ignorance in making statements like these while completely uninformed is profound. A wounded group of politicians with a vicious hatred for an empowered right was only too happy to begin mudslinging in an attempt to "not let a crisis go to waste."

We later find out that the man was a wacko. Just plain and simple- a wacko. He was not a right-wing conservative. In fact, quite the opposite. He was a "philosophy" junkie. He was probably further left than Gabrielle Giffords in all actuality. But regardless of his political affiliation, there is NO evidence that politics had ANY part in his motive. His friends have said he never watched TV, he never listened to talk radio. So why the accusations against these media outlets? The man had a personal issue with Ms. Giffords. And he was mentally disturbed. The end.

Is it devestating? Yes. Tragic? Yes. A reason for the country to get all up at arms over right vs. left? No. Not even close. At a time when the country should be uniting to support these families, instead they're trying to pass new policies, "remake" the President, show Barack Obama's "magic" as one reporter referred to it. The American people are sick to death of the game playing and name calling. You can be passionately for or against something without inciting violence or doing anyone any harm whatsoever.

Obviously those who are leading America are unable to do so without acting like a bunch of junior highers. Was it wrong for people to come out right after the incident and baselessly blame the right? Yes. Was it wrong for the right to get caught up in defending themselves (as if it matters, they already hate you, you're not going to convince them otherwise) and play the politics game? Yes. Is it absolutely ludicrous that those who are accusing the right of inciting violence with their vitriol are making death threats to those individuals? Hypocrisy that boggles the mind. 

Here's where I stand. I'm a mom. A mom lost her nine year old little girl that day. She let her go to a political rally because the little girl loved politics. She had just gotten elected to student government in her third grade class. What a precious, smart, wonderful little life that was needlessly snuffed out by a lunatic. From what I can see, families who lost loved ones in that accident did just that. Lost loved ones. They need love. They need support. They need to be able to grieve. They need someone to come alongside them, to show them that the nation mourns with them.

When I've lost loved ones, I didn't need a pep rally. I didn't need a Presidential Cabinet Member reading a piece of Scripture. I didn't need more controversy in my life. And I'm pretty sure they don't either. It's time to step away from the political fray and be human for awhile. We're all just human. We all hurt, we all bleed the same. It could have been any one of us. I hope that we can all be a little more compassionate toward one another. Especially those who have lost so much in this.

As mommas, let's try to look deeper this year. Let's try to meet people where they are, instead of talking about them as if they're a number. Because a whole crew of mommas is a lot more powerful than congress could ever hope to be. The government doesn't get to determine the kind of country our kids grow up in...we do. We are raising the next generation of leaders who can either see a need and meet it, or pass the buck in favor of personal gain. Our children are watching us. They're watching how we react to these and all other situations.

For instance, when I was a child I knew my parents were not fans of the current welfare system. They thought it inspired people to do absolutely nothing with their lives. According to some, that would make them calloused and uncaring. And perhaps, had they done things differently, someone could have convinced me that they were. But I knew better. I had seen over and over when my parents had helped someone who truely needed it. I distinctly remember sitting in a Pizza Hut on a Friday night. It was near closing time and a homeless man came into the restraunt to ask for the food they would be throwing away. They told him they didn't have anything, and he quietly left. Without saying a word, my dad packed up the rest of our pizza and followed the man out the door. That moment of watching my dad hand that pizza box to that homeless man was a make or break moment in my life. I saw compassion in action. No, it wasn't a big gesture. It didn't have to be. My father saw a need and he filled it, and I've been trying to do the same my whole life.

That's what we're supposed to be doing. Leading by example. If we start taking care of each other, meeting the needs of those in our communities and our nation- all the while pointing to the God who enables us to love extravegantly, we'll be on our way to rewriting history for our children's children. Throughout the year as I see a need arise, I'll let you know on here and we can do our best to meet that need together. I won't be equipped to meet every need. You may be better fit to do some things. But for goodness sakes, Mommas, we have a legacy to write. Let's get going.

Mommyhood: Train up a Child

You know the child. You can probably think of three off the top of your head. The one who runs the show. They get absolutely everything their little heart desires. They wouldn't have any idea what to do if someone actually told them no, as evidenced by the screaming fit they break into if someone even hesitates in fulfilling their demands. No one likes being around these children. And you aren't doing your child any favors by allowing them to behave that way.

Here's a "dirty laundry" moment for you. We have been known to avoid some people and situations simply because we can't bear the thought of having to be around a child that we know will be there. A disobedient, disrespectful, obnoxious child is like a case of chicken pox...agonizing and something you want to avoid at all costs.

We all know that, but doing something about it seems difficult. We don't want to squelch the poor little dear's creativity or spirit, right? That's what the "experts" say. Society says give your child what they want, let them be kids. We want them to "experience" all the "fun" things in life. And I'm all for that. I do my best to delight my children as much as possible. I want to make precious memories with them. But I'm noticing that so many people who are raising children nowadays are doing just that...raising children...20 year old children, 30 year old children, 40 year old children. I want my children to enjoy childhood, but I'm not trying to raise a "good kid", I'm trying to raise responsible adults.

I've talked in this blog before about giving children responsibility, but let's talk about child training a minute.  I read a book recently that put the Biblical command to "train up a child in the way he should go" into a whole different light for me. Training is not synonymous with discipline. Training is something that should be an every day thing. You can't expect a child to obey if you've never made them obey, if you've never trained them to obey.

Train for action. Discipline for attitude. Obeying with a bad attitude is just as bad as disobeying. I've seen 2 year olds with more attitude than a 50 year old mob boss. Stay after your kid's hearts. They may not get things right all the time, but if they're genuinely trying, don't discipline them. Just gently correct. You don't want to discourage a good attitude. This is especially important when you have small children. They're just learning boundaries, authority, etc.

Instant obedience is something we're constantly working on around here. Some think that it's over the top or some kind of "authoritarian parenting" that requires a child to obey instantly. I disagree. All children should be required to obey immediately, no matter what the reason. One of the phrases I hated most as a teenager was "because I said so." I always thought that shouldn't be a good enough reason. But that attitude showed a disrespect for authority and a lack of trust that my parents wanted what was best for me. And it's impossible for a disrespectful or distrusting attitude to inhabit one area of your life without seeping its way into another.

When our children are small, instant obedience may be a safety issue. If you tell your child "STOP" when they're about to run out into traffic, you have to know that they will immediately stop. You don't have time to explain why it's in their best interest to stop. They just have to obey.

But perhaps the most important reason for demanding instant obedience from our children is because, to small children, we are the example of authority in their lives, and their view of authority will translate into the way they view the authority of God. Instant obedience isn't only a trait that children should possess, but also adult believers. Sometimes God tells us to do something and we have a really great argument for why we might have a better way. We don't understand why He's telling us to do something. But we need to obey, regardless of the reasoning. Do you trust your God enough to obey and know that He's acting in your best interest? Do you want your child to trust you enough to do them same? Train them to trust you.

I've been told before that it's unbelieveable that I can take three little ones under four to the store and accomplish my shopping. I can't understand how anyone can stand to be stuck at home because they have small children that they can't take out in public. My kids know they have to stay right with me. They don't run around the store, because they've never been permitted to. Once or twice early on in their "walking" years they'd wander down an aisle. I would stop, make them come back and put their hand back on the cart. Yep, those trips took a little longer then. Now they know exactly what's expected of them, and they don't usually give me any trouble.

Now, they aren't angel children. When people ask me if my kids are always "that good" I tell them, "no, but neither am I." Aren't we all a work in progress? It's unfair to discipline a child who doesn't know what's expected of them. It's even more unfair not to discipline or train a child at all. Our goal is not to raise a "happy child", but a responsible and content adult.

I'm certainly no expert in parenting. I can only make opinion based on my beliefs and my experience. What are your biggest child-rearing difficulties? Any advice you'd like to share that you've learned in your parenting or child care experience? There's a whole lot of mommas out there who'd love to have a bit of encouragement, so do share! Mine would be to delight your children, let them be children, but don't write bad behavior off as "being a child". Correct it consistently and see if you don't enjoy being with your children a whole lot more. :)

My Name is Lindsay and I am Addicted to Couponing

I've been watching the past year or so as many of my friends have become frugal, coupon-clipping crazy people like me. I love it. I've been couponing for awhile now and I'm a complete addict. I love to get a deal and I LOATHE paying full price for anything. Some may call that cheap...I think there's a huge difference between cheap and frugal, but that's a different blog altogether.

What I get asked most often when people hear that I coupon is how I organize my coupons. So I'll show you around my system but before I do, please know that there is no right way to organize ANYTHING. Only what works for YOU.

There are several different ways you can organize your coupons. If you are someone who clips coupons for items you're going to be purchasing at the store anyway, you probably only have a handful of coupons and they could probably be carried in a small accordian file. They have coupon organizers made for that very purpose. My favorite that I've seen can be attached to your shopping cart handle. How nice is that?

For those of you who are a bit more "intense" about your couponing, like me, a small file just isn't going to cut it. I am a stockpiler. We live 20-30 minutes from the nearest grocery store and have three small children. In the winter, you never know how long you might be in your house without being able to go to the store. So it's just smart to have a stockpile. But emergencies aside, I like stockpiling because I almost never pay full price on anything. I stock up when it's ridiculously cheap and then I shop my own store room instead of heading back out to the store to buy full price.

We have an unfinished part of our basement and my husband filled one wall with shelves for my stockpile. It started out with half a wall, but the stockpile grew into a mini-mart and we had to get more shelves. We also purchased a chest freezer last year to complete the room. :)

I have the store room organized by category similar to what you would find at an actual store. That way I can find things easily, or I can send someone else down to get something without them having to search every square inch of shelving.

Ok, but enough about the stockpile. Let's talk about the coupons. Since I stockpile, I'm looking for the best deal no matter what the name brand or whether I need it "that week" or not. I'm going to be buy what's cheap to free. So I clip virtually EVERY coupon from the Sunday paper. You never know what's going to be on sale, so I save them all. I used to print every coupon that I might need, but decided that was just wasteful in my situation and began printing out only ones that I knew I was going to use in the future or that were needed for a deal that week. Yes, I've missed a few deals because a coupon was no longer printing when I wanted it, but in the long run, with the price of ink, I think I'm better off.

So I have all the coupons from the paper every week, sometimes a couple of papers if I know the inserts are going to be good ones. I also keep coupons I find in the stores, peelies that I didn't use, tear pad coupons, coupon books, coupons I get in the mail or in email, etc. So that adds up to a TON of coupons.

You could organize your coupons by insert you found them in, or expiration date if that works for you. I personally organize mine in a Coupon Clutch. You can purchase them or make one yourself. Basically it's a three ring binder in a fabric sleeve that velcros shut and straps so you can carry it like a purse. I like that the velcro sides keep my coupons from falling out the top of the binder.

I put all my coupons in trading card sleeves. Believe it or not, I had a hard time finding these, but finally found them near the registers in Target near the Pokemon things. I have three basic categories in my binder.

1. Grocery

2. Home

3. Personal

Any coupons for food items go under grocery. Any coupons for items for the home (i.e. toilet paper, aluminum foil, batteries, etc.) go in that category. Personal items include toothbrushes, deodorant, makeup, medicines, etc.

Within each of the three categories I've alphabetized the coupons. So for instance, if you open my binder and go to the grocery section you'll find A-Z (at least one page for each letter, sometimes more as needed). Under A you'd find Argo cornstarch, Archway cookies, Atkins shakes, Alouette cheese, Arnold bread, etc. Each brand has it's own "pocket" on the page. (The only exception for this is items that have more than one "type" of product, for instance Betty Crocker has baking mixes, instant potatoes, fruit snacks...so although they are all under Grocery in the "B" section, they each have their own pocket to make it easier for me to find. Also ones with lots of coupons like Pillsbury are divided into types.)

Now before you go thinking that this system is so terribly hard and time consuming think of it this way. After the initial set-up, which may take a little while, you know exactly where to find things and exactly where to put things. When I go to clip coupons, I can clip an Energizer coupon and know exactly where to put it (under Home "E" in the Energizer pocket) then when I need to find an Energizer coupons I go to Home "E" find the Energizer pocket and only have a couple of coupons to look through instead of hundreds. Saves sooo much time.

I know it seems totally overwhelming to those who are new to couponing but I'm telling you it's totally addicting and totally worth it. You wouldn't believe how much money you can save, and also, how much you can give.

I have people ask me all the time why I would clip a coupon for something our family won't use. The answer is, if I can get it for free or make money on it, why wouldn't I get it and donate it to someone who WILL use it? Being frugal (NOT cheap) allows you to pay it forward in whole new ways. 

We're called to be good stewards of the resources God has blessed us with, this is just my little way of attempting to do this. How do you stretch your resources?

A Mommy Must Have

Wow, it's hard to believe but I just realized that the last post was my 100th on this blog. Weird. Feels like I should do a little dance or something.

Instead I'll give all you moms an little insider tip. ;) I love lists. I'm actually quite addicted to them. But, I have trouble remembering to put thing ON my list. Yes, I have a planner for appointments, school scheduling, Cubbies, etc. But I love being able to check things I do each day off my list.

Last year, there was a sale on a downloadable planner for moms. It's called the Motivated Mom and it is amazing. Every day you have a checklist of things to accomplish. There's a section for things that don't need done every day (cleaning a shelf in the refrigerator, clipping coupons, cleaning out you purse, clipping the kids finger nails- I tell ya this lady thought of everything.) Then there's a section for things that need to be done daily. (Think FlyLady routines) You can even get one that gives you Bible passages to read each day to read through the Bible in a year.

Last year I got the downloadable one and printed it off each week. This year, they made an iPad app. I can't express my excitement. This thing is PERFECT for a busy momma. Best thing yet, it doesn't cost much. The downloadable version is only $8 and if you're getting that version I suggest you head HERE to get a coupon code for $1 off. All versions are available HERE.

Hooray for an organized New Year!

Heaven is for Real

I have a confession to make. I absolutely love to read, and I almost never take time to anymore. I've been making an attempt to change that and what better time than the new year to really make the effort. I am going to attempt to hold myself accountable by doing a "Book of the Month" on this blog. I'll read a few books each month and at the beginning of the month I'll recommend my favorite to you.

In fact, I'm adding a new "Book of the Month" category to the blog store. There you'll be able to find the book at Amazon prices (and often a kindle version is available as well). So without further ado, the book of the month for January.

When I was home for Christmas, my mom told me I needed to read this book. I literally read it in just about an hour. (I do tend to read very quickly but the point is, I could NOT put this book down.) I really don't want to ruin this book for anyone, so I'm not going to give much detail. 

In a nutshell, a 3 year old little boy has a VERY near death experience. When he comes out of it, he says he's been to heaven. I can be pretty skeptical about things like that, but then the boy starts giving details. A preschooler giving details that most adults wouldn't know about Scripture, heaven, things that happened that he was never told about, things that no one would ever know if they hadn't had the experience he claimed to have.  As a mother of three little ones under four years old, a Sunday School teacher and someone who has worked with little children for all my teen and adult years, I can say, you can't make this stuff up.

This book will absolutely blow your mind. It's a quick read, only about $6 at Amazon right now (I'm not sure the Kindle price, but it's on there too) and one that you will want to pass on. Happy reading!

A Fresh New Year

I apologize for ridiculously long break in the blogging. My little family got all my attention over the holidays, and we had a wonderful time. I'm thankful for the chance to get back into the everyday. Everyone needs a vacation from vacation at some point, right?

Perhaps later I'll write an update on our holiday happenings, but today probably won't be that day. We're still trying to wrap up school for the day, Kaesen is teething (and very angry about it) and Kaytie just isn't herself. I hope she isn't trying to come down with something. At any rate, I've only managed to find a few minutes during naps to get this in.

We did have a wonderful Christmas this year. We spread it out over several days, so our kids weren't too overwhelmed. It definately seems to work better that way. On New Years Eve, Ward and I took the kids to the Magic House. They had so much fun.

We also found out on New Years Eve that we're expecting baby #4. We're very excited about the new addition to the family and the kids are going to be thrilled (since they have told me they think Mommy should have a "yudder baby"...in adult speak that would be "another baby") I think sweet Kaesen will be thrilled to be able to pass off some of the well meaning but slightly overbearing attention he gets from his older siblings.

This will be a year of changes around the Schweitzer household. I pray that I will be able to roll with the punches and make this year a significant time of growth and love in our home. I am so very thankful for the opportunity to serve my wonderful husband and sweet babies.

I hope you all had as wonderful a holiday season as we did!