Puddle Jumper

Lincoln has L-O-V-E-D his new lifejacket. Puddle jumpers are fantastic and have made taking Lincoln to the pool such fun. Here are a few shots from the pool!

Do Your Eyes Light Up?

A few years ago, I heard someone quoting Maya Angelo. To summarize, she says one of the greatest gifts you can give your child is for you eyes to light up when they walk into a room. For some reason, this really stuck with me. I go into Lincoln's room every morning with a big smile and a hug and try to "light up" when I see him. Most of the time, it's easy to do and comes naturally. I would never want him to see disappointment, anger or boredom in my eyes.

Now that he's a bit older, I love it when others light up when the see him. Of course family members do this, but my friends Megan and Angi are so good at this and always acknowledge him when they see him. Lincoln just beams!

So...do your eyes light up when you see your children?!?

(PS--this works great with husbands, too)

Wedding Song

Ryan and I had 3 songs at our wedding. The first two were short Praise and Worship choruses We Fall Down and Surely the Presence. Then, my Dad, Steve (the minister who married us) and Keith (former CCBC music minister) sang Shine on Us. I love being in church or driving in the car and hearing one of those songs. It brings up such wonderful feelings and memories. I recently downloaded Shine on Us onto my IPOD. I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner, but if you had songs at your wedding, it might be fun to have these on your IPOD. I love finding little ways to stay connected with Ryan. This is an easy one!

Joy

As a counselor, I'm constantly aware of what people say, how they say, what they mean by it and the underlying message. Sometimes it's a blessing, other times, not so much. Our internal dialogue plays a MAJOR role in how we feel, and as a result, in our actions. Regularly complaining, whining, venting, griping, groaning, and generally focusing on what isn't working, the negative side, or adopting a "glass half empty" attitude is detrimental to our physical, spiritual and emotional health. Don't misunderstand me, everyone hits bumps in the road, has bad days, and genuine reasons to feel down, even me. But, by focusing on what is working, the blessings you have, the positive aspects of your day, and keeping a hopeful attitude, you will be surprised to see what a profound impact these small step will have in your life. Enough of the negativity!

Here are some JOYFUL verses I love. Be encouraged today.

I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles.

2 Corinthians 7:4

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy!

Psalm 30:11

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!

Psalm 126:3

When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy!

James 1:2

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

And if these aren't obvious enough....

Be joyful always.

1Thessalonians 5:16

Finally, don't take my word that changing your thoughts is for your own good. Romans 12:2 tells us the same thing. This is my favorite verse and I love the promise.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Price Adjustment

It's Murphy's Law applied to fashion. You buy something, and two days later, it goes on sale. Ugh.

Price Adjustment: /noun/ the return of the difference between what you paid and the current selling price.

Example:

You buy a shirt for $34.50 at the Gap. Two days later, it is marked down to $21.99. Simply take your receipt to the store and they will refund you the difference. In this case, you would net $14.27 back in your pocket.

Lots of stores will do this.

Wal Mart
Gap
Old Navy
Banana Republic
Target
Kohl's

Most have a 14 day policy (Target is 7 days) meaning if you buy something and it goes on sale within 2 weeks, you can get the adjustment. In my experience, the stores listed above do not require you to bring the item back in, just the receipt. I keep the receipts in my wallet just in case.

One time I took my receipt up to Gap after I had bought several things for Lincoln and just had them run the receipt to check for me. I didn't even shop the store to check them items. I love doing this!

On the subject of Gap...most Gap (and Old Navy) stores do their markdowns first thing on Tuesday. This was the info given to me last time I asked. Also, items ending in 7 are a final markdown price. (ie: $2.67, $5.97) Happy Shopping!

Grocery Shopping

I've clipped coupons for as long as I can remember. This is not new to me; I've always gotten excited about saving money. I figure, any money I save on groceries or other household items is money I can spend on the fun stuff!

For a FULL, DETAILED plan, check out my favorite blog http://www.moneysavingmom.com/. She has great tips on where to get coupons, free items, and weekly deals at places you shop like Kroger, Target and CVS.

Here are some of my tips when grocery shopping.

1. Shop with a list and STICK to your list. See what is in your pantry when planning the meals for the week. Use what you already have first!

2. Shop somewhere they double and triple coupons--Kroger, Tom Thumb and Albertsons. I shop at Kroger.

3. Buy what is on sale. Especially when it comes to produce. Plus, when you buy what is on sale, you'll get a better variety. This variety is a very healthy way to eat. Strawberries and carrots one week, blueberries and grapes the next.

4. Use the store ads that come in the mail on Tuesday and wait until the item goes on sale, then use your coupon. For example, this week Kroger has McCormick's Grill Seasoning on sale for $1. Normally, it's $2. I had a .50 coupon, they doubled it, so I got the seasoning for free.

5. You can combine store coupons with manufactures coupons for extra savings. Combine this with a store sale and you will get a great deal. For example, two weeks ago Target had Mott's applesauce cups on sale for $1.66. I printed an online coupon ($.50) from Target's website and combined that with a coupon ($1.00) from the paper. I got the applesauce for $.16 each. Click here to see where to print Target coupons. (CVS gives store coupons with your receipts. Tom Thumb store coupons are usually on the ad. Target coupons come in the mail or online).

6. Check out http://www.afullcup.com/ & http://www.coupons.com/ for online coupons. They had $5 off Huggies diapers last week.

7. The best way to save money is to shop on the outer edges of the store. Think produce, dairy, and meat counter. The inner isles with cereal, crackers, cookies, chips, frozen meals, frozen waffles, etc are full of preservatives, calories and high prices. You'll save money and eat healthier.

8. Unless it's on sale and a really good sale...don't buy makeup, toiletries, detergent, etc from a grocery store. Wal Mart and Target are financially better options.

9. Don't be afraid to buy in bulk and freeze. Chicken breasts were on sale a few weeks ago at $1.67 per lb, so I bought several packages and froze them. As I was planning my meals for the week, I saw I had chicken, so I planned accordingly. If I bought it today, it would have been $4.29 lb. When bell peppers are on sale, I will buy several, dice or slice them and freeze them. We add red bell pepper to almost everything we eat. I read that the orange ones have the most vitamins, but I like red better!

10. Finally, think of it as a game. Be excited when you save money. Today, I bought all my groceries for the week Wednesday to Wednesday. I spent $32.18 For you skeptics out there, here is my meal plan for the next few days. Proof we are not eating Ramen and Oatmeal.

Wed-Chicken Cordon Bleu with potatoes and green beans

Thurs - Pasta Primavera with chicken

Fri - Soft Tacos and guacamole

Sat - Crunchy Honey Mustard Baked chicken legs and corn on the cob

Buttermilk Pancakes

I have decided to post some of my best tips and hints I've accumulated over the last year. Most are ways to save money, but others will save time or be healthy alternatives, too. A great way to save money is to avoid pre-made, boxed foods. Most are filled with sugar, salt and trans fat. Here is a recipe for buttermilk pancakes. I make these 2 batches at a time and freeze them. In the morning, I pop them into the microwave and top them with applesauce and cinnamon, yogurt or fresh fruit. Lincoln loves these!

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 T brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 beaten egg

1 c buttermilk

2 T canola oil

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Make a well in the center of flour mixture and set aside. Combine the egg, buttermilk and oil. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened. Batter should be lumpy. Pour batter in 1 inch circles onto a hot skillet.

From start to finish, this takes less than 15 minutes. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. All these ingredients you should already have, aside from the buttermilk. I make my own buttermilk...put 1T white vinegar in a measuring cup and add enough milk to make 1 cup. Let sit for 5 min, stir and this can be used in lieu of buttermilk.