Walgreens

So, I finally decided to join the "Walgreens Game." I have been a shopaholic, coupon-enthusiastist, bargain scourer, and best-deal hunter for a little over 5 years now. I have my mom to thank for this. She religiously clips coupons and maintains a "coupon box" decked out with envelopes and tabs for different categories of coupons. I like to gloat though, because I still usually save more than she does. Granted, she shops for a family of 3, sometimes 4 (with 1 growing teen and a young adult with a never-filling stomach), I still save a high percentage. Anyhow, I have her to thank for my frugality.

All this had led me to continuously find ways to better save and support my husband and daughter. We have been so incredibly blesses by such an awesome God and Creator. It is my desire to find ways to be better stewards with what we have. We never have money for a lot, but we seem to always have just enough for what we need, and some!

Well, Walgreens does this FANTASTIC rebate program. There are numerous items you can get for free or close to free each month. You take your receipt, enter it online, and wait for your rebate. If you choose to file your rebate on a giftcard, you get an extra 10% back. So what I'm going to try is use that giftcard for the next month's necessities. From this month's finds, I've already "rebated" enough for a box of Natty's diapers! How cool is that! Super cool though is that Walgreens takes their store coupons in their ads along with the MFC coupons in the Sunday newspaper! Talk about S-A-V-I-N-G-S!!!!!

So, I'll update on how my Walgreens Adventure will be going. =) Later!

Isn't this WILD?!?

I've been reading in Exodus. Facebook has this nifty application where you can choose how to read through the Bible in a year. I've chosen to read it chronologically. It's been a very neat experience. Anyhow, I'm towards the end of Exodus, where Moses receives instructions for the buidling of the Tabernacle of the Covenant. Honestly, I cannot even begin to imagine how majestic it much have appeared.

Did you know....

• They used 2193 pounds of gold = $17,697,510 today
• They used 7545 pounds of silver = $1,569,360 today
• They used 5310 pounds of bronze = $7,699.50 today

I just think that is totally incredible. Now I did the math myself with some comparison charts online, so this is not 100% accurate, but I just think this is wild.

Thank You Jesus

Sad to say, but I just do not consciously do this enough. Tim, Natty, and I all live a pretty good life, but I take for granted the way we are provided for and the nice things we have. So for now...

Jesus, I thank you...

• that we have a strong, and healthy daughter (who hasn't gotten sick once).
• I have a good job.
• we have a nice apartment to live it.
• Natty is always taken care of.
• we have all we need to live, comfortably.
• for a wonderful, love, and caring husband.
• we are surrounded by people that love us.
• for teaching us to be better stewards.
• for always showing us compassion and forgiveness, when we mess up.
  

Sippy Success

So Natty has been on this bottle strike thing for about a month. In the course of this month, I've tried "RELENTLESSLY" to find some kind of cup she will drink out of. From about 5:30 to 4ish, she does not get any milk and I was concerned. Her doc says she's doing great though, so I felt a little bit better. But still! Anyhow, I learned about these straw sippy cups from my husband's cousin. Took Natty about a week, but she LOVES them. Haven't tried it with milk yet, but she'll take just about anything else in them. I absolutely love them and high recommend them to any other mom. =)

The Silent Treatment

I love my husband to pieces, but this is TOO funny!!!!

The Silent Treatment.
A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight.

Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, 'Please wake me at 5:00 AM.' He left it where he knew she would find it. The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, 'It is 5:00 AM. Wake up.'

Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests. God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece.

9 Months as a "Ma-Ma"

OUR GORGEOUS PRINCESS

Natty has been out with us for a little over 9 months now. She amazes me. Every little thing about her - from her 6 tiny teeth to facial expressions, the way she looks at me when I get home to how she sleeps peacefully at night - it all amazes me. I am in awe how the Lord has formed her, breathe life into her, and continues to work on and in her. The thing that has been on my heart lately is to not take a single moment for granted. I still struggle with having to work and not be home. It's the role I've been given for this place in time. I am doing - trying to - the best I can to fulfill it. Some days are better than others. I struggle with being content, not having regrets or resentment.

Today I was really tired, and I felt a twinge of guilt for being glad she was asleep early. It's hard. I'm still a nut about running in to check and see if she's breathing and her heart's beating. Almost every morning, I will put my ear lightly on her chest and just listen. The little drumming gives me joy beyond anything, and it's a joy that is just not worthy of putting into words.

Sometimes I just want to keep her as my little "baby." Then I am hubly reminded that she is not "mind," and everyday the Lord is molding her into whom He desires her to be - I pray everyday (try to remember to) that she already is developing a thrist and love for Jesus. Natty is growing so fast. She has learned to do SO much and in little time. Being pregnant with her seems like eons ago.

Natty says "Ma Ma," "Da Da" (just started a week ago), and "Up" every now and then. She tries to say Hi, or mimick me at least, but it just comes out and "AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" She has super strong legs that she is standing up on, and trying to stand on her own (currently her record is 3 secs). She loves puppies, pasta, and fruit. She gives "love pats" when you pick her up on your back. Tim and I absolutely love her and adore every minute we have with her. She has taught me SO much about Jesus, life, love, commitment, myself, Tim, and just how to be joyful.

In other news, I'm counting down the days until I go off track! Last week of October!!! I have so much to get ready for - - Natty's First Birthday!!!!!! We've already gotten her invitations, and I'm SOSOSOSOSOSOSO excited! =P

The First Day of School

Ugh, I always dread the "first day" of the new school year. I also dread the day we come back on track. Part of the reason I get so worked up about it is that the day is just filled with chaos. Kids are lost and stressed, so I become lost (in my own little world) and stressed. The first day of school almost means a new batch of kids, which terrifies me to pieces, but it really shouldn't, but it always does. In some weird way, I always feel like I need to prove myself to everyone, and I really need to stop feeling that way. Not only is it not healthy, but it's not Christ-like. I truly believe (in my heart of hearts) that Christ has equipped me for this task, until it's over. I seriously need oober prayers for more faith though. I do not believe that Christ would place me in the position He has and given me all the experiences from last year, without equipping me to glorify Him. I just need to trust Him more and have faith.

I'm sure tomorrow will go well, and pass by before I know it, and I'll be excited to be home with Tim and Natty. I just need to stop working myself up.

In other news, Natty is full out crawling - she still does her "commando-style" crawling, but does the crawling on her knees as well. She is also standing up and trying to walk. We are so proud of her, and are amazed every single day. Oh, and she has SIX teeth!!!! She'll be turning 9 months in just a week and a half. We are SO blessed.