What's Your Passion?

I know it's been forever since I posted on here. We've had a pretty rough winter around these parts. Hopefully we're on our way to Spring. However, today I have an important favor to ask. I want to ask a question to anyone who reads this blog- ever. What is your passion? By that I mean, what cause/group of people/etc. do you feel a special compassion for? I think most everyone has someone/something that they feel passionately about (and I don't mean your spouse and children. haha) What subject makes you get on your soap box? What people can you just not turn down when they need something? What chain email can make you say "I never do this but....I really feel strongly about this one." What is it?

Here are some examples.

Marriages
Special Education
New Mommies
Elderly in nursing home
Children with illnesses
Cancer patients
Soliders and their families
Homeless
Orphans
Troubled teens
Crisis Pregnancy situations

There are a million different things that could be your passion. And chances are you have more than one. This is not just a discussion question. This is really important to me. Just think for a minute (what comes to mind first is probably your answer). There are no wrong answers here and I'm not looking for a Sunday School answer. I think God has given all of us different passions so that no one gets left out. So it really can be anything. Just post a comment on here or on Facebook and let me know your answer. Thanks guys.

Better Late Than Never Friday Freebies

FREE DEALS/SAMPLES

At Shop N Save, Saturday (2/26) ONLY - get a FREE 2 Liter of Sun Drop Soda with in-store coupon, Limit 1 coupon per customer… while supplies last

Go HERE to request a FREE Sample of Kirkland Signature Supreme Diapers from Costco. You DO NOT need to be a Costco member to request. Allow up to 4 weeks for delivery.

Head over HERE to request a FREE Beech-Nut Stage 4 Toddler Welcome Kit. It comes with a coupon for a Free Beech-Nut product.

Disney Junior is offering 39 different full episodes of some off their most popular shows online. Go HERE to start watching.Here are the episodes available:Agent Oso – 3 episodesChuggington – 4 episodesHandy Manny – 5 episodesImagination Movers – 5 episodesJungle Junction – 5 episodesLittle Einsteins – 3 episodesMickey Mouse Clubhouse – 5 episodesNeverland Pirates – 5 episodes

Request a FREE Sample of Playtex Sport. Sample includes: 2 regular, unscented, 1 super unscented, and a $1 coupon. While supplies last. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery!

Head over HERE to sign up for the Tylenol Keep Moving Program. You’ll receive a FREE booklet filled with tips on diet, weight loss, exercise and more! PLUS when you register, you will receive a special gift, rumor has it that it’s a FREE exercise band! Allow 6 -8 weeks for delivery!

Head over HERE and sign up for FREE American Baby Magazine

Sign up HERE and receive a certificate for a free sample of Enfamil Baby Formula.

Head over HERE to request a FREE Sample of Matrix Biolage Hydrathérapie Aqua Immersion Créme Masque! While supplies last!

Barnes and Noble: Head over Saturday and you’ll snag a coupon for a FREE Cup of Coffee (good for one complimentary non-customized tall-sized Starbucks freshly brewed coffee: hot or iced). when you have a bookseller give you a guided tour of the NOOK Color.

Head over HERE to request a Free Sample of Kirkland Signature NEW Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner from Costco! As of right now, you DO NOT need to be a Costco Member to request this! Allow 4 – 6 weeks for delivery!

If you are active duty in the United States Marine Corps and over the age of 18, here’s an opportunity to participate in a research study (which should take about 30 minutes of your time via an online questionnaire) and earn a $10 Walmart gift card in return! If you are interested in participating AND are a qualifying participant, head over here for more information and to complete the questionnaire.

RESTRAUNT DEALS

Next Friday (3/4) is “Free FryDay” at Chik-fil-A locations around the country. From the Facebook Page:Between 2 and 4 pm local time, ketchup lovers who ask for Heinz Dip & Squeeze and the Free FryDay promotion at all Chick-fil-A restaurants will receive a FREE medium order of Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries®, limit one per customer. To find a loction near you, just head over HERE!

National Pancake Day is March 1st!IHOP will be serving FREE Pancakes from 7:00am – 10:00pm! Donations will go to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities. Head over HERE for details!

Del Taco: Use the coupon here to snag a FREE shrimp taco with any purchase at participating locations (expires 3/4/11).

Fazoli’s: Join the Fazoli’s email club and you’ll receive an email for a free welcome gift (i.e. likely a free spaghetti entree) just for joining (may take 12-24 hours to arrive).

FREE COUPONS/DEALS

Recipe Nut is a great website that lets you save recipes from any source or site so that you have them when you need them, plus you have the abililty to share them with others!! You will also get coupons right from the Recipe Nut newsletter every other week!
Join HERE…it’s totally FREE!

HURRY over to Plum District! You will get a FREE $10 California Pizza Kitchen Gift Card when you refer two friends to Plum District! I’m sure this offer will go quickly!

Head to the Mission Facebook page, “like” them, and then click on the “Chips Across America” tab. Click on the red “Enter Now” button and then enter your email address.As more people “like” Mission on Facebook, if they get 15,000 or more “likes”, by March 2, 2011 at 8:59 PM PST, the coupon value will reach a FREE bag of Mission chips!On March 4th, you can get the coupon HERE.

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

Uddercovers is giving away $32 nursing covers for free with a promo code.
Go to the Udder Covers website, click on "Shop Now", select the product you would like (they also have 3 piece gift sets available with this promotion) and you will automatically be directed to the center of the page where you can enter in the promo code!
Type in "Family2011" and it will pull up the ones available. They are selling out fast. You can use the code more than once - you just have to open a new browser/window to do so. Good Luck!
(This promotion gives you a $32.00 discount off your total order no matter what you put in your cart! This promotion code is valid once per transaction, so you can order as many times as you would like!)

EVENTS

Saturday (2/26) 9am – 11am Target is hosting a FREE Dr.Seuss Storytime Event! Bring the kids to your local Target store to enjoy giveaways, coupons and hear Dr. Seuss favorites. Get all the info HERE!

This Saturday, 2/26, Lowes will have another FREE Build & Grow Workshop for kids. The project this week – they can build a Pull Back Race Car!Go HERE for more details and to register.

Over at Borders on Saturday (2/26) at 2pm they are having an Elmo’s Birthday Party which includes games, songs, giveaways and more! Go HERE to find a location near you and for more info! (scroll down to the bottom)

SHOPPING DEALS

Head over HERE to print a Bath & Body Coupon for a FREE Signature Collection Travel Size Item (up to $5 value) with any purchase! Coupon expires 3/9/11!

Dierbergs:
Quaker Oatmeal $1
Use $1/1 Coupon (1/2 RP)
Final Price = FREE

Kroger:
Colgate Toothpaste (6.4 oz) $.98
Use $.50/1 Coupon (2/13 SS) (dbls)
Final Price = FREE

Voskos Greek Yogurt (5.3 oz ) $1
Use $1/1 Printable Coupon HERE orUse $.75/1 Printable Coupon HERE
Final Price = as low as FREE

StarKist Tuna (5 oz Can or 2.6-3 oz Pouch) $1
Use $.50/1 Starkist Pouch Product Printable HERE (dbls)
Final Price = FREE

Target:
It is being reported that Target has some of their jeans on clearance for as low as $4.98 – $9.98Use $5/1 Women’s Denim Shorts, Pants or Capris Target Store Printable CouponFinal Price = FREE to $4.98

Up & Up Dental Floss (50 Yards) $.89
Use $1/1 Up & Up Oral Care Coupon Target Store Printable Coupon(coupon automatically adjusts down)
Final Price = FREE

Tony’s Crisp Crust Pizza 5/$5
Buy 7
Use (7) $.50/1 Coupons (2/13 SS) or $1/2 Printable HERE
Pay $3.50
Get $5 Target Gift Card
Final Price = ALL 7 FREE + $1.50 Money Maker

Walmart:
It is being reported that Walmart carries a (3 oz size) of Dial NutriSkin lotion for $1.97. Use the $2/1 Dial Nutriskin Lotion coupon (2/20 RP) to get it FREE!

Walgreens:
RepHresh Brilliant PH Tampons (18 pack) – $5.99Get $5 RR
Use $1/1 Printable Coupon HERE
Final Price = FREE

Dove Deodorant $1.99 with in ad coupon
Use $2/1 Coupon (1/30 RP)
Final Price = FREE
**Hand over store coupon last to avoid those dreaded beeps


REBATE DEAL

Check out this awesome FREE after rebate item! Currently, Costco has this Jumpstart Advanced Preschool World Premium Edition priced at just $19.99 with a $19.99 rebate, so essentially FREE! This same set costs over $25 on Amazon! …And the best part, you do NOT need to be a Costco member to score this freebie (just skip the member # option)! Keep in mind, If you’re not a member, you will have to pay a $1 non-member fee, but still a sweet deal! Also, everyone will pay a tax of $1.68.
The rebate offer is a limit of one per household. If you are not a Costco member, you’ll have to mail in your rebate using this form. If you’re in fact a member, then you’ll have the option to submit your rebate online. Once you have received your shipment confirmation email, visit the Costco.com rebate center and then you’ll be able to submit your rebate info.
*For additional details and restrictions contact Costco Rebate Customer Service at 1-866-355-3137.


**Make sure to check Clippin with Carie and Hip2Save for great deals all week. (Both can be found on my sidebar**

Motivation, Motivation, Wherefore art thou, Motivation?

Sorry for the extreme lack of...well...anything. There's been plenty to talk about, I just haven't felt compelled to write anything down. Very odd. Everyone keeps asking how I'm doing. Honestly, I'm exhausted. I'm not sure I've ever been more exhausted. I really reallyreallyreallyreally don't want to do anything but lay in bed. Of course, naps always seem to be so elusive.

No, but really, I have started wonder if there's something really wrong with me I'm so tired. I know I'm pregnant. I know I have three kids under four. But really, I'm not the only woman to ever do this. Surely not everyone feels this way. I mean I can't seem to get anything done. And when I do manage to force myself to do something, I just want to collapse in a little heap whereever I might fall and cry myself to sleep. Not typical for me- at all. Very weird.

I am supposed to have an ultrasound tomorrow afternoon. From the looks of things, I won't be going anywhere. I guess if we have a heat wave of about 80 degrees starting about 6 am tomorrow morning all this sleet and snow might melt enough for me to make it. I'm not counting on it though.

Today was super-fun. Ward is in Kansas. Yesterday we got ice. We got a good little bit of ice. Then this morning came the sleet. Oh buddy, did it sleet. We're usually very sheltered from the wind where our house is, but it was sure howling today. Anyone who's been snowed in with three little kids (did I mention I'm already exhausted) knows that your patience can wear real thin after a day or two. (or an hour or two)

So then we lost power. Oh fun. So I started a fire in the woodstove. This is wonderful, but that means we all have to stay in the great room where it's warm. Our house is too big to heat all of it with the woodstove. So now we're not just enjoying the togetherness in our house, but in just one room. There is no escape.

So I decided our cat (who is a mostly outdoor cat now and has been sleeping on the porch in his nice warm bed inside a kennel and wants nothing to do with coming in...perhaps the children have something to do with this) needed to come inside because it was just too cold and the wind was blowing so I was afraid even the walls of his crate and snuggly bed wouldn't keep him warm. So I went downstairs to get a litter box ready so I could bring him inside. That's when I realized there was water running in the basement. After some investigative work I found that it was the water softener- the container that the salt goes in. So I frantically called Ward. (Obviously a flooded basement was the last thing I needed.) He told me that since he wasn't home to fix it and didn't know what was wrong I needed to just shut off the water.

Great.

So now I was supposed to sit in one room with three children under four (again...exhausted) with no power and no water. I shut off the water and the leaking stopped. After all the water had stopped flowing, I looked a little closer at the leak. Please note that I am completely unfamiliar with the water softener at all. I'm a total and complete "dumb cluck" when it comes to that sort of thing. We never had one when I was growing up and I've always just let Ward deal with it since we moved here.

It looked like the valve that was leaking was to keep the bin from overflowing. (Which seems pretty pointless if it's going to overflow all over the floor anyway. Who cares whether it comes out the side or the top?) So my solution was just to scoop out a couple of buckets of the water and dump it down the utility sink. Don't know if that's what I should have done or not, but alas, it stopped the leak and I was able to turn the water back on. And to make things even better, the power came back on too.

So, aside from being a bit more exciting than I would have liked, the day didn't turn out nearly as bad as it could have. However, I am still exhausted and still stuck in this house with three crazy little ones. So I'm sure the rest of the week will be interesting.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the week wouldn't be so stellar when the very first thing I did to start it off was to roll out of bed and step in dog poop. But that's another story altogether.

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!