Disaster Relief Opportunities

In light of the massive amounts of devestation across the Southern region of our country, I though I would give everyone a chance to really "pay it forward" to our neighbors. Many of us saw more realistically than ever before that everything we own can be taken from us in a split second. In fact, our very lives can be demanded of us without warning.

Knowing this should make it all the easier to give generously to those in need. You never know when it may be you who's left with nothing. Keep the victims of these storms in your prayers, but don't stop there...reach out. If your community has been impacted by these horrific events, do whatever you can to help out in a physical way as well, whether that be by monetary gifts, item donations, volunteering with clean up or giving blood. What a blessing to have the means to minister to those around us!

I have tried to compile different ways and locations where you can donate in each state. I had more trouble with some areas than others, so I'm counting on you locals to help out if you can. If you know of more ways to help, or locations to donate, please let me know and I'll add them to the list.


St. Louis Disaster Relief:

The following items are needed:
Sheets
Cleaning Supplies
Diapers
Underwear (both men’s and womens)
Socks
Personal Care Items

Where can you take your items???
Maryland Heights Community Center
11911 Dorsett Road
Phone: (314)291-6550

Zion Luthern Church
12075 Dorsett Road
Phone: (314) 739-6121

Schmittel’s Nursery
3406 Creve Couer Mill Road
(314) 469-8900

The Salvation Army is accepting monetary donations through its Web site at: http://www.stl-salvationarmy.org/or donors may call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or mail donations to: The Salvation Army Midland Division, Storm Relief, PO Box 21787, St. Louis, MO 63109-9913.

To help the storm victims, donate through the United Way's 211 website. You can also call 2-1-1 or (800)427-4626 to make a donation or sign-up to volunteer to help in the future.

Go HERE for a list of St. Louis area blood drives.

Red Cross St. Louis Donations at http://www.redcrossstl.org/, call 1-314-516-2800.

If you NEED assisstance in St. Louis:
Ferguson-Florissant Caring Community Event will be from 9am-Noon on Saturday.

St. Louis Metro is providing severe storm relief, too. The agency is giving MetroLink rail and MetroBus access to St. Louis County residents whose vehicles were buried under debris from tornadoes that struck on April 22.


Southern Missouri Flood Relief:

Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce President Steve Halter will coordinate donations of non-perishable supplies. Steve Halter can be reached at 785-7761.

Food donations should be taken to the United Gospel Rescue Mission.

Please deliver other donations to the old MAG building in Poplar Bluff;
Hwy 67 South, turn onto Butler County Road (in front of Hart's Catfish).
Drive 300 yards and turn right.
Deliveries/Pickups accepted between 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Items still needed:
Paper towels
Multi surface cleaner
Toilet Paper
Rubber gloves
Bleach
Dawn
Sponges
Buckets
Soap
Hand sanitizer
Batteries
Bandaids
Trash Bags
Combs/Brushes
Kleenex
Feminine hygiene products
Children's sippy cups
Blankets
Box Fans
Mens/Womens/Children's underwear & socks
Aluminum Foil
Face wipes
Fabric softner
Baby bottles
Q tips
Cotton Balls
Shampoo
Conditioner

If you need assistance in Southern Missouri:

Monday May 2, 2011 and Tuesday May 3, 2011
From 10am to 7pm
At First Baptist Church in the Fellowship Hall
M.A.R.C The Multiple Agency Resource Center will be helping flood victims get assistance from multiple agencies.

Alabama:

Red Cross is taking text donations. Just text text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate $10.

Give Blood
To learn more about blood donation opportunities, visit www.redcrossblood.org/ orcall 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733 2767).

If you're near the Talledega Superspeedway here's a fun way to give back. For a $50 donation to the American Red Cross race fans will be able to drive their personal vehicle around the high-banks of Talladega Superspeedway, May 6 -8.

The Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions is collecting financial donations online at www.alsbom.org/tornadorelief or by check: mail checks payable to State Board of Missions, P.O. Box 11870, Montgomery, AL 36111-0870. Please note "Alabama tornado relief" on the check. Immediate goods that are needed include bottled water; sports drinks; snacks; power bars; blankets; coolers. No clothing can be handled at this time. The following churches have agreed to collect and distribute these items:- Northpark Baptist; 5700 Deerfoot Parkway; Trussville, AL 35173 (205-908-7985)- First Baptist Church, Russellville; 213 N Jackson Ave; Russellville, AL; 35653 (256-332-2065)Please call them before you deliver.More sites are being added, check www.alsbom.org/tornadorelief for more information.

Moody area:

Disaster Relief c/o First Baptist Church of Moody
902 Church Street
Moody, AL 35004

Montgomery area:

Life South is coordinating a blood drive to aid tornado victims. Come out and give the gift of life starting at 8:00 a.m. Friday in the parking lot of Ace Bowling Center in Montgomery.

Brewbaker Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep at 300 Eastern Boulevard in Montgomery will be collecting supplies and non-perishable food items for disaster relief.


Tallassee area:

Ben Atkinson Motors in Tallassee is collecting non-perishable items to help storm victims in Eclectic. There is a van parked at the dealership that is already partially full. The dealership bought diapers and wipes and snacks. Donations will be accepted from 8am-6pm today and Friday and Saturday.

Elmore County:

Millbrook Parks and Recreation is accepting donations (canned food items or cash) for Elmore County Victims from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 at the Millcreek Sports Complex and the Millbrook Girls Softball Complex.

Elmore County High School will accept donations in the gym and volunteers can report to the cafeteria.

The American Legion Post 133 at 4980 Main Street in Millbrook is collecting nonperishable goods to assist tornado victims. They are working with the city of Millbrook to deliver the items. For more information: Dan Lawless 202-3534


Prattville area:

A&J Rentals in Prattville at 501 E. Main Street is a drop off point for relief material. They are collecting water, diapers, clothes, first aid, even spare lumber.

The UPS Store in Prattville is accepting Red Cross Donations as well as non-perishables. They're located in front of the Home Depot. 334-290-3392

Troy area:

Troy Cityfest set for this weekend, April 30 and May 1 in Downtown Troy on the square will collect non-perishable items for the Red Cross to help Ala. Tornado victims. Collection sites will be set up at the festival – people are asked to bring food, hygiene items, cleaning supplies but please don't bring clothing. Monetary donations will be accepted at the festival HQ in the big tent at the middle of the square.

Andalusia area:

The Piggly Wiggly at 13759 Brooklyn Road in Andalusia will be collecting supplies and non-perishable items.

Greenville area:

The Liberty Fire Department in Greenville will be taking donations in the Butler County Courthouse parking lot on Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturday starting at 8am.

Coodsada area:

The Coosada Fire Department will set up to take monetary and supply donations at the Wetumpka Airport on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon.


Need assistance in Alabama?

Samaritains purse has locations near Birmingham. "We have deployed two of our Disaster Relief Units, tractor-trailers fully stocked with emergency tools and supplies, to serve as command posts for staff and volunteers in the hardest hit areas. One unit is based at Garywood Assembly of God in Bessemer, about 12 miles southwest of Birmingham, and the other is located at First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa."


North Carolina:

You can go HERE to make a monetary donation to help victims of this spring's tornadoes in North Carolina.

The Salvation Army Family Store at 205 Tryon Road in Raleigh is accepting furniture and clothing donations.

The Food Bank's website has a list of items needed.

Mississippi:

The American Red Cross is in urgent need of volunteers to help after storms hit Northeast Mississippi Wednesday. If any one has the time and ability, they are asked to reach out to your local Red Cross Chapter (Columbus: 662-328-5710; Starkville: 662-323-4621; Tupelo: 662-842-6101).Read more: NEMS360.com - How to help tornado victims

Please bring donations of clothing, books, toys, diapers, snacks, or drinks to the Link Centre, 1800 W. Main Street, Tupelo. Read more: NEMS360.com - How to help tornado victims

Tupelo City Hall is collecting bottled water and canned goodsRead more: NEMS360.com - How to help tornado victims

Fulton City Hall is collecting bottled water.

Mantachie Town Hall is collecting bottled water

Houston Fire Department collecting water donations only.

Booneville Chamber of Commerce is collecting bottled water.

Tremont High School is collecting bottled water and items such as canned goods, personal hygiene items and diapers.

Pontotoc By Faith Baptist Church on Highway 15 is collecting bottled water and canned goods.

Amory - Amory Church of Christ donations of clothing, blankets, canned food, etc.

Nettleton - Nettleton City Hall, Nettleton First Baptist Church, and Crosspointe Fellowship is collecting bottle water, clothing, and other items.

Plantersville - Plantersville Town Hall - water and non-perishable foods.

Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee:

I had a hard time finding locations for donation drop off in these states. If you're in these areas, you can always try the Salvation Army, Red Cross or area Food Bank. If you know of somewhere in the area that is collecting goods, let me know and I'll add it on here.

Friday Freebies for 4/29

On 4/29/11, you can get a FREE bag of chips from Frito-Lay. Just “LIKE” Frito Lay on Facebook, and you'll be set. A limited number are available though, so you'll have to check early and often.

Go HERE and fill out a form to see if you qualify to receive a coupon via snail mail for a FREE 5 day supply of Zyrtec or $7.00 off a 12ct. pack or higher!

Click Here to Get: Olay Quench Product Samples

Folgers is giving away free samples of Folgers Special Roast Coffee to people who “Like” them on Facebook and click the ‘Free Sample’ tab. Complete the form to request your FREE sample.

At the Playtex Facebook page, click on the ”Get a FREE Sample” icon to get a FREE Playtex Sport Sample Pack. If you don’t see it, then click on the “Special Offers” tab on the left side bar!
FREE Sample Pack includes 2 regular unscented, 1 super unscented, and a $1 off coupon! Allow 4 – 6 weeks for delivery!

Go HERE to see if a store in your area is participating in the annual Free Comic Book Day.

Head over HERE to request a FREE Sample of John Frieda Root Awakenings from Walmart.
Allow up to 4 weeks for delivery.

For local readers and good only through today, go to the G&W Meat & Bavarian Style Sausage Company Facebook Page to get a FREE BRATS coupon *good through 4/29 only*. One pound of G & W Brats for free. This place is located on Parker Avenue in St. Louis.

If you have a Petco Pals Card, go to the Petco website to print a coupon valid for a FREE can of Fancy Feast Cat Food (3 oz)! This coupon is valid Friday (4/29) ONLY! Limit one coupon per customer!

Sign up for a FREE Samples of Member’s Mark Infant Formula. There is a limit of one sample per household, while supplies last!

Head over HERE to request a FREE Organize in Style coupon booklet.
This coupon booklet has over $35 in P&G coupons including coupons for Cascade, Dawn, Febreze and more. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery

Fill out the form HERE to request a FREE sample of Maximum Strength Zantac 150. Allow 4 – 6 weeks for delivery!

The Free Travel Alaska State Travel Guide is back!
This could be a great learning tool for the kids! It shows all the cool things you can do in Alaska as well as the history, wildlife, and more!
You can request yours, HERE! Allow 3 weeks for delivery!

Kroger:
Crest Toothpaste $1
Use $1/1 Coupon (4/3 PG) or
Use $.50/ Coupon (3/13 RP) (dbls)
Final Price= FREE

Tony’s Crispy Crust Pizza, Select Varieties, 9.7 to 10.4 oz, $1
Use $.50/1 Coupon (2/13 SS) (expires 4/30) (dbls) or
Use $1/2 Coupon (2/13 SS) (expires 4/30) orUse $1/2 Printable HERE
Final Price= as low as FREE

Dierbergs:
Propel Enhanced Water $.50
Use $1/2 coupon (2/13 SS)
Final Price= BOTH FREE wyb 2

Target:
Get (20) 4×6 Photo Prints $.10 each ($2 total)
Use $2/20 Digital Prints Target Store Printable Coupon
Final Price = 20 FREE Photo Prints

Walgreens:
Buy 3 Splenda with Fiber (80 ct), $2.99 = $8.97
Use (2) $3/1 Any Splenda (80 ct +) Coupons (4/17 SS)
PLUS
Use (1) $2/1 Spenda with Fiber Printable Coupon HERE
Pay $.97
Get $4 RR
Final Price = All 3 FREE + $3.03 Money Maker
If you are comfortable with your store and know they will adjust down a 3rd $3/1 Coupon (per thier own coupon policy),Use (3) $3/1 coupons, have them adjust the last one down to $2.97, PAY $0.00, Receive a $4 RR and turn this deal into a $4 Money Maker!

Stayfree Pads(14-24 ct) $2.99
Get $2.99 RR wyb 1
Use $1/1 Coupon (3/27 RP)
Final Price = FREE + $1 Money Maker

Luster White 7 Toothpaste (2.6 oz) $4.99
Get $4 RR wyb 1
Use $1.50/1 Coupon (4/3 SS)
Final Price = FREE + $.50 Money Maker

Nexcare Waterproof Bandages (20 ct) $2.99
Use $.55/1 Coupon (4/3 SS) or
Use $.50/1 Printable Coupon HERE
Submit $2.99 Mail-in Rebate from back of package
Final Price = FREE + $.55 Money Maker

Nestle Candy (1.28 – 2.1 oz) $.39
Use $1/2 Butterfinger Snackerz Printable Coupons.com
Final Price = 2 FREE


*Thanks to Carie at www.savingmoneyinmissouri.com and all the other fabulous deal hunters across the web for making these so much easier to find. :)*

Surviving a Bad Case of the Mondays

I would guess that most moms have had one of those days where you consider it a miracle that everyone survived the day. Monday was one of those days here at the Schweitzer household. I've decided that the story in it's entirety is far more funny on Thursday than it was on Monday, so I thought I'd share- at the risk of those of you who have not yet had children deciding that it no longer sounds like a good idea at all.

The older children woke a bit earlier than usual on Monday...which probably should have been an indication of the way the day would go. Kai and Kaytie both decided they knew exactly what they wanted for breakfast and asked me to make their special requests. I decided to humor them (almost never a good idea when it comes to meals) and made them each what they wanted...which they then decided they no longer wanted and would not touch. I was a bit irritated, but life with little ones is irritating. That's just the way it is. No big deal.

Then the fighting, arguing, yelling, screaming nonsense ensued. And continued until it woke the baby- who was none to happy to be awakened before he was ready. So now we have three crabby kids and one crabby mommy. After feeding the baby and breaking up more fights that we would normally see in a whole day, I made the executive decision that everyone was going back to bed and we would try again.

Our second attempt at starting the day was a more miserable failure than the first. The craziness, chaos and bickering was driving me crazy. Then out of the blue, Kai comes running through the house kicking a ball and wearing cowboy boots. He trips and flies face first into the stone ledge that our wood stove sits on. Immediately he begins screaming and crying and a puffy purple spot appears under his left eye. I tried to get him to let me look at it and he wouldn't let me. I tried giving him ice to put on it (in the form of boo-boo bunny, of course) but he again wouldn't let me near it. I asked him if he wanted me to hold him and he told me no, that it wasn't hurt, that it would never get better, that he wasn't crying (all of this while screaming bloody murder.) I decided that I was wasting my time attempting to console him.

I had put Kaesen in his exersaucer while I attempted to tend to Kai's boo boo, and walked into our bedroom (already completely frazzled at this point) to call Ward. (yes, this was one of those "please talk me down from the ledge or I'm going to harm someone" phone calls.) Kai was following me around screaming- but still not letting me help. Then Kaytie walks up to him (while I'm on the phone) and smacks him. Just out of nowhere smacks him. (I'll admit, I'd been more than a little tempted to smack him myself, but that doesn't justify it of course.)

So I sent her to her room. Any of you who have been around my children knows that when they are sent to their room, they know they are to go to their room and shut the door. They don't argue it, they just do it. So she goes to her room and after about a minute, she's back in my room. I had to do a double-take because like I said, they NEVER break the rules about going to their room. She's hopping around on the floor. I said, "Kaytie Elizabeth Anne, why are you not in your room." Her answer? "Because I'm a bunny."

Seriously.

After informing her that she would be a bunny with a very sore tail if she didn't get back in her room, she decided it best to take her bunny self back into her room. About 30 seconds later I heard something in the hallway again. I figured it was her again and was flabbergasted that she would be so defiant. So I went into the hallway to see that it was Kaesen playing in the hall. Yes, Kaesen- who was supposed to be in his exersaucer. He had apparently escaped and was enjoying his newfound freedom.

Now Kai's screaming, Kaytie is in trouble and I've just realized that the exersaucer will no longer restrain my little boy and I'm ready to pull my hair out. I let Kaytie out of her room with a long discussion on why we do not hit people. She walks out of her room and pushes Kaesen onto the floor. You have got to be kidding me. So back to her room she goes.

It's only just noon now and I'm quite certain at this point that the chances of all four of us surviving the day are slim to none. So I decided that I would make lunch and then put them back down for naps. (yes, they just got up...but it was for their own good.)

So I put Kaesen in his highchair, pushing in the tray as far as I could, and gave the older two their food. One of the older kids had left their cup in the great room so I went to get it to refill for it for them. As I did I heard a sickening thud. Kai said "Kaesen flies!" Oh. My. Word.

Kaesen had decided that instead of eating his food, he would climb onto his tray and do a high-dive jump onto the hard linoleum floor. He was laying a good two feet from the chair face down on the floor.

I panicked. I rolled him over and tried to make sure he was ok, but I was shaking and crying. I think it knocked the wind out of him, but otherwise he seemed to be ok. He was REALLY sad, though. So I picked him and held him for a minute while both of us tried to calm down. Kai and Kaytie finished their food and I told Kai to go potty so he could take a nap. Kaytie decided that she needed to go potty, too...so I told her to go ahead and go on the little potty in her room. Luckily I decided to check on her, because apparently she decided that today would be a good day to try her hand at peeing standing up.

I would have given about anything at that point to have a job outside the home. (yes, that sentiment has come and gone...but my goodness was it tempting to start searching the classifieds at that point.) I finally got everyone into bed and attempted to get a bit of cleaning done. Then Kaytie woke up and told me that she had pooped in her pullup. So I got her up and took off her pullup, only to find- another pull up...and then another. I shook my head and told her it was like unwrapping a yule log but with a very smelling surprise. To which she replied, "I have smelly fries???"

Ah, yes...some days are just more challenging than others. I'm hoping to not have another of those for quite some time...

Saving on our Curriculum

I know it's been awhile since I posted very regularly on here. But I haven't forgotten about it. I've just been working on a few projects. You'll see some bits and pieces of the beginnings of them, if you look around on here, but I wanted to draw your attention to one of them.

At the top of blog, just under the picture, are several tabs. Here you can find my blog store, a link to the Snuggies for the Soul, Inc. blog, etc. Now, if you click on the "Usborne Books" tab it will take you right to my Usborne Bookstore Online.

Most of you know that we are a homeschooling family. Since our kids are so young, we don't have much experience yet, but boy are we learning. We scoured curriculums last year before finally deciding on Sonlight for Kai's kindergarten curriculum. To say that we loved it would be an understatement. I cannot say enough good about Sonlight. And so I almost feel a bit guilty for writing this post, as I feel it is a wonderful, quality product...but let's face it...we're all pinching pennies, so here goes...

One of the greatest assests of Sonlight, was something we also struggled with the most. Sonlight is a literature based curriculum, so there are a TON of books that you go through in a year. My kids LOVE these books. They are wonderful and I love the way their instructor guides showed you exactly how to teach each book so that they weren't just "reading" but really "learning" the information in them. And these are not "text" books, but instead books my kids will read over and over again It is a timeless curriculum, the majority of which I can reuse for each of our kids.

However, since there are so many books, it's not a cheap curriculum. As I said, we purchased the package last year, and while I do think that it was worth what we paid, it is just getting harder and harder to justify such large expenditures.

So, I've managed to find some ways to get the best of both worlds. Many of the books in the Sonlight Curriculum are Usborne books. So I decided to start selling Usborne books. This gives me money back on purchases, and when I make a large purchase I can do so through an online "e-show" and get hostess discounts as well. Also, many of the books are just cheaper directly from Usborne than they are from the curriculum. This is saving us a ton of money already.

For books that aren't Usborne, I got a list of the remaining books in the core packages and can purchase them from half.com for a fraction of the cost. Now we're REALLY saving money. We will still have to purchase Instructor Guides, Math Curriculum, etc. from Sonlight, but the amount of money we will save by getting the majority of our books at a discounted price is just huge.

If you're interested in saving money on homeschool books, or just educational books for your kids (or to give as gifts- summer reading time is fast approaching!) just click on the Usborne Books tab at the top of the page and have fun browsing. While you're there, remember to enter the free drawing. If you have a large book purchase to make, let me know and we'll set up an e-show and get you the best deal possible. If you're interested in making money selling these books, you can contact me on that as well and I'll help you get started.

I'm not someone who's going to breath down your neck trying to sell you stuff, so you probably won't hear much about this new tab in future posts, but I want to share my discoveries in how to get the best deals possible, so I thought I should at least put it out there for those of you who might be interested.

I'll post more later, when the other new features on the blog are up and running. Hope everyone is staying safe in this crazy weather!

The Beginning of Our Journey Through a High Risk Pregnancy

As most of you know, we're expecting our fourth child. We found out Wednesday that it's another little boy- Korbin Lee. I guess no one will ever mess with Kaytie with three brothers around. ;-) We also found out Wednesday that this pregnancy will be considered high risk. The ultrasound showed a complete placenta previa. Unlike marginal previa or a low lying placenta (which I had with Kaesen), the placenta is centered completely over the cervix, with no chance of it moving before delivery.

There are several very serious concerns with this diagnosis, so we will be having ultrasounds every month and will have an MRI later in the pregnancy to make sure that the placenta has not grown into the scar tissue from my previous c-sections. The major concern for mom with this diagnosis is hemmorage. It is very likely that I will have heavy bleeding either before term or during the c-section. As of right now I am not restricted to bed rest, but am just supposed to not do anything beyond my regular daily activities. If there is any evidence of bleeding at any point, I'll be put on bed rest, probably for the rest of the pregnancy.

From what I understand they will probably schedule the c-section earlier than they normally would (as soon as it's safe to deliver the baby). So it looks like we'll be meeting our little guy in August rather than September regardless of any bleeding. Very often bleeding is sudden, painless and very heavy, which is why most babies in these situations are born preterm. Sometimes babies are smaller than they normally would be due to intrauterine growth restriction.

If they find that the placenta has grown into the c-section scar, the risk of hemmorage during delivery is much higher, with the only way to stop it sometimes being a complete hysterectomy.

All of these details have definitely given us a lot to think about. It's easy to look at the odds and be terribly discouraged. It's easy to be overwhelmed with all the possibilities of what could go wrong. But I have decided that I have to look at this as "it is what it is". There is nothing that can be done at this point. There is nothing I can do to prevent any of these complications. There is no treatment for problem. In a very real and obvious way God is showing me that I have no control over the outcome of my pregnancy. The knowledge that there is no guarantee that Korbin or I will survive this pregnancy seems far less scary when I realize that I didn't have that guarantee with any of my other pregnancies either.

I serve a God who loves my husband, my children- sweet baby Korbin- even more than I do. And He is in complete control of the situation. He already knows exactly how it will turn out. So all I can do is trust that the ONLY one who has any say in the outcome wants the very best for myself and my family and that all of this will be used for His glory regardless of what that means in practical terms for me. I pray that I will have the strength to push my fears aside and do the things that I need to do to be the best mommy that I can be...for all four of my precious babies.