Lily of the Valley

28 Weeks with Baby Blessing #4

2009-12-10T08:10:00.002-05:00

I am excited that I am now 28 weeks! God has really protected me, and the baby, throughout this pregnancy. I am very blessed by all who have been praying for me! (I f you are expecting, or have any other prayer need, for that matter, please leave a comment.)

Here is an update on the baby:

-Baby has been head down, for quite a few weeks now.

-Baby's heart rate is 145 bpm. (Baby's heart rate has stayed in the 140's at every pre-natal visit, except for one.

-Baby is super active at night.

Photo taken by my favorite photographer, my 6 year old, Lily.

Getting a Good Deal on Larger Purchases

2009-12-03T18:41:00.003-05:00

I am convinced that I used to be the absolute worst haggler for getting a good deal. If a price was written down, I felt like it was "set in stone" and was non-negotiable. Usually, I would just walk away, without even trying, if the price wasn't right. Only recently have I learned that it is reasonable to negotiate to get a great deal.
My husband and I have waited 7 1/2 years to get a matching bedroom suite, since we had other financial priorities, thus far. We have learned to make do with mismatched dressers and no headboard/footboard. For about a year now, we have been actively searching Craigslist at least once a week, yet we hadn't found a decent set, at a price we wanted. Finally, a few days ago, we received a flier advertising a new, $699 solid wood, sleigh bedroom set. The price seemed fair, so we went to the store. We brought $700 with us, and were going to ask them to give it to us for $700 out the door. (taxes included) We ended up not liking the set in person, and we actually found a set that we liked better, for $599. We felt that was reasonable, since we had the cash for it. It was about $650, out the door, for a complete bedroom suite. Delaying this purchase ensured that we were very cautious about what we purchased, and we could really do our homework to find a great deall.

Helpful Tips for Getting a Good Deal:

1. Check Craigslist or Freecycle to see if you can find what you are looking for, at a great price.

2. Don't set your heart on an item, whether it is a house, car, furniture, etc.. Once you set your heart on something, you are usually more willing to pay a much higher price than you would have. Be emotionally detached enough from whatever you want to purchase, that you can walk away, if the price isn't right.

3. Whenever possible, pay with cash. Bring a certain amount , and make an offer that is reasonable to you. Businesses should be more willing to allow you to negotiate on a price when you are paying in cash. Considering our economy, most stores will negotiate to make a sale.

4. Carry competitor's ads and/or coupons. When we bought our bedroom set, at a furniture store, if the price wasn't right, we brought a competitor's coupon for 10% off. (Even Walmart accepts competitor's ads to price match.) If you see a nice set at the Ashley furniture store, call around to different local Ashley retailers to compete in getting you the best price.

What ways have you found to save on more expensive purchases? For more Frugal Fridays, visit Life as a Mom.

Christmas 09: Give Like No One Else

2009-11-30T15:03:00.003-05:00

Dave Ramsey is hosting a giveaway, each day, until Christmas. Today's giveaway is $1,000 cash, to either start your own emergency fund, or to bless someone else with, if they have not started an emergency fund. Dave Ramsey is such an inspiration to me, and I am thankful that he is encouraging others to be wise in saving, and to bless others, in return.
If you are looking for a great gift for Christmas, Dave is selling all of his cds, dvds, books, and even children's materials for only $10 each. Give the gift of financial freedom to your loved ones, this year!

Here are some pearls of wisdom from Dave Ramsey:

“Financial peace isn't the acquisition of stuff. It's learning to live on less than you make, so you can give money back and have money to invest. You can't win until you do this.”

“I'm not against people having new cars. I'm against them having you. We spend a tremendous amount impressing somebody at the stoplight who we'll never meet. It makes you broke and keeps you broke."

"If broke people are making fun of your financial plan, you’re on track."
— Dave Ramsey, Radio Show, 2007-06-08

"Winning at money is 80 percent behavior and 20 percent head knowledge. Most of us know what to do, but we just don’t do it."

"The average millionaire drives a three year old car and clips coupons."

One of Our Favorite Learning Tools

2009-11-29T22:16:00.002-05:00

We have been enjoying using Wikki Stix in our homeschooling adventures. Wikki Stix are pieces of yarn, which have been dipped in wax, creating a bendable manipulative. These can be used for many subjects including: the alphabet, numbers, science, etc..
Wikki Stix comes in handy when we are learning the Greek alphabet. My son made the first four Greek letters, in the above picture.
Even my 2 year old has a blast with these. She is playing with the number 4 that I made her.
The Wikki Stix company was so kind to send me a set of three sample packs to try out with my children. I definitely am looking forward to getting more!

For more ideas on how to keep your preschoolers productive, please read here.

Last Day to Get Free Christmas Cards!

2009-11-30T09:15:00.000-05:00

Today is the last day to purchase your 50 free (just pay shipping) Christmas cards. I ordered some, last Sunday evening, and received them on Wednesday. Visit Crystal's website for all of the details. Blessings!

November Book Reviews

2009-11-28T20:34:00.000-05:00

Treasured Knowing God By the Things He Keeps
Treasured is an insightful look at the treasures of God's heart, which are traced throughout the Scriptures. At first sight, many things in God's treasury may seem non-descript and humble. Leigh McLeroy clearly shows the inherent value of each precious treasure. Using Bible passages and powerful practical life-applications, Leigh weaves the beautiful story of many of God's treasures, from a simple scarlet cord (Rahab) , to a fresh olive sprig (Hope Aboard Noah's Ark), to a fig leaf (man's imperfect covering vs. God's perfect covering) Each chapter contains a fresh look at Bible accounts, which we may have grown too accustomed to. I found it delightful to read a chapter, daily, during my devotional time. Each chapter was so inspiring, but one of my favorites was the section about the fig leaf. So often, in our shame over our sinfulness, our natural inclination is to cover our own sinfulness, as quickly as possible. Likewise, our first parents, Adam and Eve, hastily grabbed a fig leaf to cover their shame and sorrow. But, much to their dismay, the fig leaf was insufficient. After being questioned by God, Adam and Eve eventually confessed their sin to the Lord. Subsequently, God killed animals to clothe Adam and Eve with the skins. This was a foretaste of the sacrifice on Calvary, of the Perfect Lamb of God. Leigh McLeroy also guides readers to think of the personal treasures in their lives, which tell of their relationship with the Lord. Treasured is a wonderful devotional, which will lead you to reflect on what is most dear to the Lord.

God Gave Us Love
I could not wait to read, God Gave Us Love, to my little ones. My high expectations about this book were not in vain; this book gives a realistic picture of true love, to little ones. Little Cub spends the day with Grandpa, discussing what love is. Grandpa shares that even the otters, and Little Cub's younger siblings, are worthy of love, even when it is difficult. Grandpa shares that it is because God loves us, we need to show others His Love. It seems that many children and unfortunately, some adults, have never learned that one is required to love, even when it is challenging. This book is a terrific tool for teaching young children that love is a decision, not a mere emotion.
God Gave Us Christmas
Santa can be a controversial topic in many households. While God Gave Us Christmas does not deny the existence of Santa Claus, it certainly encourages children to focus on Jesus, the real reason for Christmas. In this precious tale, Mama Cub shows her Little Cub how God manifests Himself in His Creation. This story culminates when Little Cub realizes that the greatest treasure isn't presents, but rather, Jesus. God Gave Us Christmas is a gentle resource to teach preschoolers about the greatest gift that God gave to man.

These books were provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Books I Have written:

2009-10-28T19:26:00.001-05:00

Super Saving Strategies

Super Saving Strategies can help you to learn how to live better on a modest income.

Sections include:

~Ideas for saving money on groceries, with tips from meal planning, to affordably stocking your pantry with nourishing foods.

~ Find new ways to educate your children inexpensively with a variety of thrifty tips.

~ Save money by trying fun and frugal entertainment ideas. Ideas include thrifty date nights with your spouse, to frugal fun for the whole family.

~ Tired of spending a fortune on gifts? Try these fresh ideas and save money!

~ Be inspired to live frugally and debt-free through a variety of useful websites.

Buy this money saving e-book for only $2.50!

The Beauty of Tending to One's Home

2009-11-24T15:53:00.003-05:00

"Occasionally, we women grow weary of this life in the shadow of the tent. We say, To what end is the sewing, the sweeping, the cooking, the calling, the spending of all of this small change? We long for the wider sphere, for life in the open, for the breaking of the fetters which after all are to most of us blessed and dear, and of divine appointment. The mood is an unworthy one, for the service of the home, though on the surface it seem obscure, is really as compared with any other just as that of the priests in the outer court compared with the High Priest's function when he entered the Holy of Holies. In this world of wars and commotions, the one Holy of Holies where God is pleased to abide is the home, and there may be His shrine and His altar, as nowhere else."
-From In My Father's House: A Vision for Daughters

Painting by Helen Mary Elizabeth Allingham.

Black Friday Ads

2009-11-24T15:29:00.002-05:00

For all of you brave ladies, out there, you can peruse several store's Black Friday ads here. As for me, I don't think I am going to "rough it" this year. I am hoping to snag some great deals online. If you know of great online deals, I would love to hear about them! Blessings!

Making the Most of a Pay Raise

2009-11-23T16:57:00.003-05:00

According to financial gurus such as Dave Ramsey, you truly have to "live like no one else" in order to one day, "live like no one else". So what do most people do when they get a pay raise? They adjust their standard of living, almost immediately. I recall listening to Dave Ramsey's show, where he mentioned someone who was used to living off of $40,000 a year, who got a new job making $100,000 a year. This person immediately raised his standard of living and was spending every penny he earned, each month. Imagine how incredible it would be if that person had continued living off of the $40,000, and invested the other $60,000 each year! While most people won't have the opportunity to obtain a pay raise of $60,000, there is a lot of practical application for a more modest raise. Say, for example, that your husband is getting a pay raise of $5,000 a year. One could easily spend that much money on extra groceries, new gadgets, daily trips to coffee shops, and the deluxe cable package, every month. But rather than frivolously spending this money, wouldn't it be amazing to live like you never saw a penny of that raise? Divide the $5,000 (or however much the raise is) by 12 months, and put that money in a savings account or money market, each month. If you survived alright, monetarily, before the raise, you will do just fine in stashing that money away, and you won't miss it. In fact, you will be so thankful that you had the wisdom to save that money. Say you owe $50,000 on your mortgage. Just by stashing away that money, you could pay it off in 10 years, painlessly. (Imagine how you could save and invest, with a pay raise or a new job that generated an extra $10,000 or $20,000 a year!)

Here are a few ways to make such saving possible:

1. Spend and save intentionally- Have a plan and a goal. Discuss your plans with your spouse. Make a list of financial goals/achievements you aspire to. Do you want to pay off your house, take a dream vacation, or build a new house? Figure out how long it would take you to achieve that goal and make it happen.

2.Make your goal tangible- Most people are very visually oriented. Never before, in history, has it been so easy to buy whatever you want, whenever you want it. (Even if you don't have the money!) In this age of instant gratification, it can be challenging to cling to your long-term financial goals. In order to curb this tendency, make your long-term financial goal tangible. If your goal is to save up enough to build a house, find a blueprint of a house plan and print it out. Put it in a plastic sheet cover and put it somewhere where you can see it frequently. Make this goal as real to you as possible. The more you do this, the more likely you will be to keep your goal.

I would love to hear your creative ideas for making the most of a pay raise! Blessings!

$10 off the movie, UP!

2009-11-16T17:52:00.002-05:00

If you are interested in purchasing the movie, UP!, you can save $10, through tomorrow, by printing out this coupon. Hurry, it expires tomorrow. You should be able to print 2 coupons, per computer. This would be a terrific Christmas gift for a special little one in your life.

Sewing Class

2009-11-16T16:35:00.002-05:00

I have a love/hate relationship with my sewing machine. (mainly the latter) I try not to pull it out when I am pregnant, as I don't feel like I can handle any extra frustrations, at that time. So, my normal pattern is to take my sewing machine out, try a simple feat, the bobbin gets messed up, and I put the machine away for another four months. I had taken a sewing class at the local community college when I was expecting my firstborn, but the class was overflowing with about 30 students. Only a few students were helped, per class, which was very frustrating. A young lady from my church, Caroline, hosted a sewing camp this past week. I was able to attend the Thursday night session, and I learned so much in that 3 hour session. (I learned so much more in one evening, than I had learned in my previous course.) Caroline kept the class size to six students, so she was able to help whenever anyone had a question. I managed to make a purse for my sweet Lily, during class. When Caroline mentioned that we were going to be making pleats, I think my heart stopped for a minute, but it actually was easier than I expected. Thanks to Caroline, I don't think I will be leaving my sewing machine idle, any longer.

Earning Money As a Keeper at Home

2009-11-11T15:03:00.002-05:00

Over the past several years, God has impressed my heart with Titus 2:4-5:

"That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
My conviction is that I ought to remain within the realm of home, if I desire to supplement our family income. Thankfully, there are a plethora of ways to earn money at home, especially with the help of the internet.

The following are a few ways that I have earned some money from home:

1. E- book writer- I wrote an e-book called Super Saving Strategies. Lulu will host your e-book for free, but takes a small fee for each book sold. The terrific thing about writing e-books is that there is no up-front cost for you. The only commodity that you give is your time. You do not have to be a professional to write an e-book. Think of a topic of something that interests you, or that you are passionate about, and start out with a small book on the subject. Perhaps you can show others how to do something, such as how to knit a scarf (in words and pictures) or how to decorate wedding cakes.

2. Affiliate Programs- Being an affiliate is an easy way to make money through your blog. I am an affiliate with Vision Forum, Nurtured Family, and The Old Schoolhouse. If someone purchases a product from a company that you are an affiliate with, you get a percentage of the sale. (Generally anywhere from 5%-8%).

3. Wedding Planner/ Consultant- I am an organizing aficionado. When it came time for the Christmas gift exchange with my husband's family, I was the ~~nerd~~ person who was making a spreadsheet of gift suggestions for everyone. So when my sister-in-law announced her engagement, I promptly whipped up a tabbed binder for her, with organizational sheets. She asked me to be her wedding consultant and very generously gives me some money, each month as I help her and her fiancee to sift through wedding planning details. (I would have gladly done it for free.)

4.Consignment Sales- This year was the first time that I participated in consignment sales. Consignment sales are a terrific way to earn money on extra stuff that you just don't need, and to get your children what they do need.

5. Surveys- A survey company contacted me this year, to record my household's radio listening habits for a week. It took about a total of 20 minutes to fill everything out, and I made a little over $30 for that. So far, that has been the most lucrative survey that I have done, but I do try to do other surveys, such as Surveyspot.

6. Yard Sales- Yard Saling in my neighborhood isn't very effective, but I did make a little money. We had a huge community yard sale, but we still didn't attract too much of a crowd, since we are out in the country, a bit. I really feel like location is so critical for successful yard sales.

Things I am interested in Pursuing from Home in the Future:

1. Teaching Childbirth classes- Birthing is my passion and I would love to encourage other women as they prepare to birth.

2. Selling baked goods to coffee shops/businesses.

3. Writing articles for select publications and/or websites.

4. Finding great deals at yard sales and Craigslist, to sell at Consignment sales.

5. Becoming a Notary Public- By taking a simple class at my local community college (for two evenings), I could become a certified notary public. (It does require one to pass a state test.) Once certified, I could place a sign up in my front yard, and if anyone needed anything notarized, they could just drop in. I had something notarized, yesterday, and it cost $5 for 2 minutes of the lady's time. It would be terrific to make money here and there, just for witnessing someone signing a document.

6. Medical Transcription-When I was expecting my firstborn, I took a few classes at the local community college to become a Medical Transcriptionist, in case we needed the extra income. Being a mother of three (soon to be four) little ones, I don't think I have the 2-3 hours a day, at this time, to devote to medical transcription. Perhaps, further down the road, it might not be a bad prospect for me. There are quite a few companies that allow you to do this job completely from home, while earning a nice income. (One lady I knew, was a transcriptionist for 2-3 hours a day, and earned $40,000 a year. She would transcribe while her granddaughter took her afternoon nap.)

Earning money from home can be challenging, at times, but can be successfully done, when you combine your passion with creativity. Find a niche and fill it!

I would love to hear some ways that you have found, to make money at home. Many blessings!

Grandbaby Duggar

2009-11-06T20:13:00.002-05:00

I was thrilled when I heard, a couple of weeks ago, that Grandbaby Duggar arrived. We don't have cable, so I was so excited to see this video of their homebirth. It is so nice to see homebirth to be portrayed in a positive light, in this video! Many blessings!

Under the Weather

2009-10-31T11:52:00.004-05:00

This week, my three children and I have been battling the flu. It is definitely challenging cleaning up throw up, when you are sick and pregnant, yourself. I am very thankful that we are starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel, though we are still battling some symptoms. I so appreciate your prayers. One joyful thing occurred during this illness is that my sister gave birth to a darling baby boy, Alexander, this past Wednesday.I cannot wait to see my precious nephew, but definitely need to quarantine myself for a while. Blessings!

One Size Fuzzi Bunz Rewards Program

2009-10-25T11:22:00.004-05:00

There is a terrific sales reward program for One Size Fuzzi Bunz diapers. If you interested in starting to cloth diaper, or need some in one size, this would be the perfect time to replenish your stash. This one size can be used from birth through potty training. The rewards program ends Oct 31, 2009.

Buy any 9 One Size FuzziBunz diapers and earn $40 in Free FuzziBunz Product.

Illustration: 9 FuzziBunz with volume discount = $166.50 - $40.00 in free product = $14.05 per diaper!!!!

Great way to get your friends pooled together to make a purchase and get hooked – share the Bonus Rewards amongst friends.

How it works:

Buy 9 FuzziBunz One Size Diapers

Return to FuzziBunz.com and fill out the “Redeem Rewards” form and choose your Product Rewards.

Print out form and mail in to FuzziBunz Rewards Program with your proof of purchase (must have proof of purchase dated between 9/10/2009 and 10/30/2009. Rewards forms can be turned in up to 12/15/2009.

Product Rewards Products: Extra packs of inserts, changing pads, diaper totes, nursing pads, Daisy Print diapers, XS Diapers, Hanging Diaper Pails and other accessory items made by FuzziBunz.

Simply return to your favorite retailer, purchase 9 FuzziBunz One Size Diapers and follow the instructions on the FuzziBunz website to redeem.

All 9 FuzziBunz do not have to be purchased from the same retailer – only purchased within the given dates. Retailer need not be “participating” in the Bonus Rewards program to qualify for the Rewards – only a proof of purchase from that retailer provided by you. Keep your Receipt!

If you try these diapers, I would love to hear how they work for you! Many blessings!

Kids Eat Free at Boston Market

2009-10-25T09:06:00.003-05:00

Now, through Oct 31, for every adult meal (minimum $6 purchase) that you purchase at Boston Market, you can receive two free kid's meals. You must bring the children into the restaurant to get this deal.

Lily of the Valley Disclosure Policy

2009-01-01T16:08:00.000-05:00

This policy is valid from January 1, 2009.

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Christine J. at aprongirl@gmail.com.

This blog does not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions. However, we will and do accept and keep free products, services, travel, event tickets, and other forms of compensation from companies and organizations.

The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements.

The owner of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.

This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

The blog owner does accept products to review. For more information, please contact Christine J. at aprongirl@gmail.com.

To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

NC Fair

2009-10-23T14:44:00.002-05:00

Anastasia was content to be snuggled up to her Daddy. She was happy in the Ergo for several hours.
I love the garden section where there are various plots of land decorated according to different themes. This was a princess garden.
We walked 8.5 miles, last Sat.. It was a lot of fun. Have a blessed weekend!

Emotional and Physical Effects of C-sections upon Women

2009-10-22T09:33:00.002-05:00

I found this recent article, detailing the emotional impact of c-sections upon a woman, to be very informative. Though I have never had a c-section, I can relate to a lot of the emotional effects, since I have had two medicalized births, laden with nearly every intervention possible. Too often one's caregiver intervenes and causes complications in the birth, requiring further intervention. If a mother feels less than satisfied with her birth experience, everyone simply tells her to be grateful, after all, she has a healthy baby, now. I wholeheartedly agree that a healthy baby is fundamental, but the mother's experience and her well-being is important, as well. Often, after my medicalized births, I just laid in the hospital bed, wondering what had happened to me. Giving birth was the last thing that I felt like I did; I truly didn't feel like an active participant. Birth ought to be a beautiful experience, both for the mother and the baby. (Please note- I am referring to unnecessary c-sections due to unnecessary causes and interventions. A true emergency, such as placenta previa or a cord prolapse are true medical emergencies and necessitate a c-section. )

If, for a true medical emergency, such as the ones detailed above, one requires a c-section, it is wise to ask for a double layer suture repair. According to Heart and Hands, most doctors have been performing single layer suture repair for quite a while now. Single layer suture repair quadruples the chance of future utering rupture.

This sign in a doctor's office is most disturbing to me. It states: "We will not participate in a birth contract, a doulah assisted or a Bradley method delivery." Wow! I could not endure receiving pre-natal care from such a place. I am so grateful that there are options of pro-natural birth doctors and midwives.

I have read a plethora of books on the topic of birth. One particular book was so well written, and engaging, that I could not put it down, until I read the last chapter. The author's conclusion was that if one is for choice regarding birth, one must be for abortion, as well. I find this to be, not only extremely faulty logic, but that this advocate of "informed consent" (disclosure by the doctor to the patient of possible adverse effects of various pills, procedures, etc.) was not revealing the truth, herself. (Unless she was completely ignorant, which may also be the case.) The author of this book frequently quotes the adverse effects of c-sections on women and future pregnancies, but she neglects to share the plenitude of negative effects of abortion on a woman's uterus.Recent studies have found that abortion scars the uterus and can cause severe complications, even involving future pregnancies. It is inconsistent to belabor the negative effects of c-sections without also examining the horrible effects of abortion, upon a woman's body. I abhor abortion with every fiber of my being. Every woman should be permitted to bring forth life in whatever setting she is most comfortable with.

What I am Dreaming of....

2009-10-19T13:08:00.002-05:00

I guess the older I get, the more practical I become. I would absolutely love to get a great deal on a freezer. I made one freezer meal, and it just about filled my freezer above the refrigerator. (with all of the other frozen foods in it) I would love to have a whole freezer full of meals before baby blessing #4 arrives, but at this point, I cannot do much without freezer space. I am a little leary of buying one used, as it is hard to tell if it would be in working condition and how much life would be left in it. I have been so inspired by Crystal's baking days, and would love to be able to make several meals, at once, to freeze. I would also love to have a freezer so that I could buy 1/4 a cow. Yes, never did I imagine that I would dream of owning a fourth of a cow. But, the more I read, the more I want healthy beef to serve to my family. (Reading Crunchy Cons made me want to only eat beef from a trusted farm.) One blessing of having plenty of room in your freezer, is that it makes hospitality even easier for busy mothers. When I have a bag chocked full of muffins, in the freezer, I can just grab a few out and heat them in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Make some tea or coffee and voila, hospitality is feasible without standing in the kitchen all afternoon. I usually plan my menus for two weeks at a time. Since Monday is traditionally pasta night, at our house, I love doubling the recipe. Last week, I made stuffed shells, and doubled the recipe. For tonight's meal, all I had to do was defrost the meal last night, and cook it for 1 hour. Doubling or tripling meals is the perfect solution for a busy mother.

Do you have an extra freezer? What have you found it useful for?

And the Winner is......

2009-10-16T16:16:00.004-05:00

ZSuzsanna ! Please send me ( aprongirl at gmail.com) the e-mail address you would like me to send your e-book to, ZSuzsanna. Thank you so much for all who entered the contest; I so enjoyed reading your frugal tips. I am having a sale on Super Saving Strategies for the next 24 hours; you can receive your copy for instant download for only $2.00. Many blessings!

A Few Freebies

2009-10-13T14:18:00.002-05:00

There are a few freebies available right now:

~Free Ovulation and/or Pregnancy tests are available here. (I haven't tried this, as I don't need these right now, so if anyone tries, I would be interested in how this works out.) Thank you, Erin, for the link!

~ Join me in a blog tour with Waterbrook Multnomah, by registering here. If accepted into their blogging for books program, register for the Treasured , God Gave us Christmas, and God Gave us Love book tour. You will receive a free advanced copy of each of these books. All you have to do, in return, is write a review on your blog. I am particularly excited about receiving Treasured, as it looks like a terrific devotional, that would really help me to focus on Christ, this Christmas. The other two books look like terrific books for leading and guiding children. It would be so much fun to read these books at the same time, and to read each other's thoughts on them! You may even choose to pass along some or all of these books as Christmas gifts.

~ Receive a free sample of Emergen-C. Since this cold and flu season has been so terrible, we have found that taking Emergen-C, which contains over 1000 mg of Vitamin C, helps prevent us from getting some of the illnesses going around. We are almost half way done with a box of raspberry flavored Emergen-C, which is very tasty. (I hesitated at spending nearly $8.50 for a box of 30, but I figure it is worth the cost, as my dear husband really cannot afford to be sick, with his job.) It is also an energy booster, which can be quite helpful for a day when you are dragging, or even for women in labor! (I am definitely saving a few packets for my birth box.) If you have tried Emergen-C; I would love to hear what you think about it!

~Don't forget to check Walmart's Free Samples section, periodically, to see what new samples they are offering!

Many Blessings!

Family Feasts Giveaway

2009-10-10T12:30:00.001-05:00

The author of Family Feasts for $75 a week is hosting a giveaway of three sets of three copies of her book, on her blog. It would be a tremendous blessing to win a set of three of her books, to utilize for oneself, and to bless two others with a copy. (What a delightful Christmas gift!) The contest ends on Oct 26, so make sure that you enter in time! Blessings!

Super Saving Strategies E-book Giveaway

2009-10-10T19:27:00.003-05:00

I am happy to announce that the e-book that I have written, has been published. Super Saving Strategies is chocked-full of money saving tips to help you to learn how to flourish financially, on a limited income.

Sections include:

~Ideas for saving money on groceries, with tips from meal planning, to affordably stocking your pantry with nourishing foods.

~ Find new ways to home educate your children, inexpensively, with a variety of thrifty tips.

~ Save money by trying fun and frugal entertainment ideas. Ideas include thrifty date nights with your spouse, to frugal fun for the whole family.

~ Tired of spending a fortune on gifts? Try these fresh ideas and save money!

~ Be inspired to live frugally and debt-free through a variety of useful websites.

I am hosting a giveaway of one free e-book copy for my dear blog readers. If you are interested, please leave a comment detailing your favorite money saving tip. It would be so much fun to glean from each other's ideas.
The giveaway ends on Friday, October 16, when I will randomly select one winner.
Many Blessings to you!