Free Collage Print At Walgreens Today Only!

Now is the time of the year to be on the look out for good deals like this one.  I just submitted my order to be picked up at Walgreens later.  I only chose one picture for my collage - a digital scrapping layout I made of the boys.  I made the layout a 12x12 but it will print as an 8x8 on an 8x10 picture.  The picture It would make a great Christmas gift and I really should chose one for grandparents but I chose this one for me!  I plan to trim the picture and find an 8x8 frame for it.  Oh yes!  Use the coupon code "FBCOLL" when checking out to make your order completely free - pick up in-store to avoid shipping charges.

Never to early to start thinking about Christmas...for me!

Hi, It's Me!

It's been several days since I've blogged here.  Want to know why?  I've been tinkering around quite a bit at my new weight loss blog.  Know what I'm calling it?  "Becoming An After" (because who wants to stay a before?).  I'll probably start a new blog every once in awhile till the day I die. It's in my blood.  I'm excited (as always) about this new journey I'm on and hoping that I do really well.  It's about my health.

Friday Felicities

Welcome to Friday Felicities, a meme created by Nattie – now a resident of heaven. This meme is all about creating a list of things that make you happy and Nattie knew that when you concentrate on your blessings your sorrows are not as overwhelming.  Create your own list of Friday Felicities and link up over at Heather's blog, Madame Rubies.

• 3 miles under my belt (walking)
• Forever Friends
• Bangs!  :)
• Giggling boys
• even my new iPhone cover!
  

Fold Your Plastic Grocery Bags

I have a great plastic grocery bag holder that my sister Elizabeth gave me many moons ago.  I just stuff them in there and I'm good to go for months!

I never stopped to consider that there might be alternate means of storing those bags that you just have to keep {right?}.  How about folding them in triangles and storing them in a plastic container?

To be honest, I don't want to go through all my bags and fold them.  I don't even want to fold them right after I get groceries - I like stuffing, BUT I definitely will fold one or two or three to tuck into my purse.  You  never know when you might need a bag - and for those of you with babies, it would be a great idea to store several in  your diaper bag!!

Thanks to Heather from Dollar Store Crafts for sharing this great link from A Lil Bird Told Me.

Another Printable For You!

I created this one purely because I like this font!

The boys enjoy walking the trail with me.  They are participating in our homeschool groups "Turkey Trot" where they walk, jog or run 26 miles between now and Thanksgiving.  William has already walked 2 miles to my (and Jonathan's) 1 mile on both Monday and Tuesday.  Today I had to take a recovery day as my legs will barely move.  I know it is because of the anti-rejection meds and it makes me even more determined to push through!

I don't dread Monday's - I love them!  I love the beginning of a new week.  Like my friend Cheri says, a new week (day, month, year) with no mistakes in it.  Today I had a plan for when I woke up and I followed that plan.  I woke up at 6am instead of 5am but still, things went well.

I had my boys up and out of bed by 7am and we left the house at 7:20.  We just threw on our walking clothes and went!  About 7 miles away there is a little community center that has a cool little walking trail.  I really liked it a lot because even though you go round and round, it still wasn't as monotonous as a running track.  There were also some cool pine trees and shady areas so it was nice.  I noticed a couple of resting benches along the way but I didn't partake.  {grin}

My doctor told me to push myself a little and while I would be sore, it would be worth it.  I've never had a doctor tell me to push myself and I liked that.  A couple of weeks ago I went to the track and could only make it around 2 times - ½ mile.  Today I walked an entire mile and for me that was great.

A few more minutes of rest and then we start our school day.  How is your Monday going?

Friday Felicities

Welcome to Friday Felicities, a meme created by Nattie – now a resident of heaven. This meme is all about creating a list of things that make you happy and Nattie knew that when you concentrate on your blessings your sorrows are not as overwhelming.  Create your own list of Friday Felicities and link up over at Heather's blog, Madame Rubies.

• the promise of cooler temps coming soon
• Happy Birthday Michael!
• 7 weeks of school finished
• watching my boys learn something new
• provision
• faithfulness
• ice cold Diet Dr. Pepper
• friends.  Real friends.
  

Book Giveaway

Today I received in the mail Angela Thomas' new book, Do You Know Who I Am - And Other Brave Questions Women Ask.  Angela is the author of the popular book Do You Think I'm Beautiful?

I was given an extra copy of this book and will be giving it away on my blog in a couple of weeks - on October 1st to be exact.  Stay tuned to this blog or my book blog for details and a chance to win.

More Than Words

The Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
introduces
More Than Words
by
Judith Miller

I enjoy very much reading books about the Amish or, in this case, the Amanas.  As I started this book I read, "Come down from that tree, Oma!" and I had to chuckle because I knew that "Oma" means "Grandmother".  Though I am only partway through, I can tell it is a great book and I look forward to finishing it today.

About The Book:
Gretchen Kohler is an Amana storekeeper's daughter with a secret passion for writing.  But artistic pursuits are frowned upon in her conservative Amana village, so she confines her poems and stories to her journals, letting only close friends read them.  When a young reporter comes into her store, she believes she's found a kindred spirit.  She shares a few of her stories with him - only to have her trust betrayed in the worst of ways, resulting in trouble for her entire community.

The scandal is made even worse by the fact that gypsies have camped nearby and seem to be preying upon the Amanans' compassionate, pacifist anture.  Will Gretchen lose her job, her reputation, and the love of her childhood beau all because of one bad decision?

Judith Miller is an award winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her novels, two of which have placed in the CBA top ten lists.  In addition to her writing, Judy is a certified legal assistant.  Judy makes her home in Topeka, Kansas.

If you would like to read the first chapter of More than Words, go HERE.

Sometimes It's The Big Things

One day in early March BK (before new kidney), I was sitting in a reclining lawn chair on the deck enjoying the sunshine.  The chair was next to the railing and I used that to help myself up.  I was surprised to find out that I almost didn't have the strength in my legs to get myself up!  My health was failing on many levels.

Today I took the boys outside for reading time.  Fall is in the air and it was the perfect time to enjoy the weather.  As I sat reading, I began to recall that day in March.  I was sitting in the same lawn chair by the same railing.  The leg pain from the rejection meds got me to wondering if I would be able to stand up when it came time to come inside.

Obviously I made it inside! ::grins::  I stood up easily with the minimum of pain.  I'm thankful for the small blessings AND the big ones.

Good Mail Day

Today I received two books in the mail that I've been looking forward to reading and looking through.  I love PaperBackSwap for swapping books for free!

Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours
by Dr. Kevin Leman

I've liked Dr. Leman for a long time and think this book will be full of good practical advice.

The Great Big Book Of How To Study
by Ron Fry

This book was recommended by Joy of Five J's in her blogpost, Improve Your Study Skills.   I was intrigued and decided to request a copy from PBS.  I'll be digging into it soon.

Don't forget to catch my book review for Ted Dekker's latest, Immanuel's Veins.  I am hosting a giveaway of a t shirt designed to go along with the book.

Friday Felicities

Welcome to Friday Felicities, a meme created by Nattie – now a resident of heaven. This meme is all about creating a list of things that make you happy and Nattie knew that when you concentrate on your blessings your sorrows are not as overwhelming.  Create your own list of Friday Felicities and link up over at Heather's blog, Madame Rubies.

• A new 8 year old in the house!
• First day of Friday School
• A good 5 month report at Vanderbilt
• No more blood clot (or blood thinners)
• Good school days
• Gradually feeling better and better
• Healthy eating

My 8 Year Miracle

I am so thankful for the blessings and, indeed, the miracles that he has done in my life.  Eight years ago He stepped in and rescued me and my newborn baby Jonathan.  It was an incredibly wild and blessing-filled day.

The birth story is long and sometimes scary and I won't go into all of that.  I'll sum it all up:  I pushed for 2½ hours but Jonathan wasn't moving down but his heart rate was and a C-section was decided.  While waiting on a OR, I lost a lot of blood and was rushed down the hall.  Jonathan was delivered gray-looking and hardly breathing and they intubated him.  Meanwhile, my epidural wore off toward the end of the c-section and I about come off the table trying to stop the pain. They knocked me out and I woke up in recovery after having to receive 2 units of blood.  Jonathan was absolutely fine after about 45 minutes and had no other problems.  He was a healthy weight of 8lbs, 10oz and 22½ inches long - according to his Meme, those are Dick's exact birth measurements.

I had a fabulous doctor and to this day I still insist that he is my favorite doctor!  Thanks Dr. Richmond.

Dr. Richmond and Jonathan - 2002

Jonathan - Summer 2010

Keeping Up With Allowances

My boys get a minimal amount of allowance every week in exchange for help with specific chores.  They are also required to extra things from time to time without "being paid" for it and they know it is because there are somethings we do because we are all part of a family.  

Sometimes I have a hard time remembering who has what. Sometimes William wants me to hold on to his allowance because he is saving it for something or Jonathan might see something while we are out and will want to use only part of his allowance to get it.  Sometimes the hubby will pay the boys for an extra difficult chore outside and tell me "they each earned $2" and I have to remember it.  See what I mean?

Today I came across a wonderful {free} iPhone app called "Kiddy Bank".  It is amazingly simple and is exactly what I need and since I ♥ my iPhone, it will always be near me to add (and subtract!)  allowance when the opportunity arises.

 

 

You have a screen that allows you to add the names of your children and set up their "accounts".  Under Weekly Allowance, you add how much money they get every week and the app automatically adds it to their account.  Tap the "credit" button if you want to add extra money to their account or debit if they used some of their allowance or if you "fined" them for whatever reason.

I know for older children they are usually just given their allowance to keep up with and to spend and save as they want.  My 9 year old could probably do that but prefers for me to keep up with it.  My youngest?  Well, I found his birthday check from his PawPaw and Jammie in the hallway last week so I took it and think I will continue to keep up with his money!

It works for me!  For more Works For Me Wednesday tips, be sure to visit We Are THAT Family.

Friday Felicities

Welcome to Friday Felicities, a meme created by Nattie – now a resident of heaven. This meme is all about creating a list of things that make you happy and Nattie knew that when you concentrate on your blessings your sorrows are not as overwhelming.  Create your own list of Friday Felicities and link up over at Heather's blog, Madame Rubies.

• Cooler temps
• Long weekends
• Fellowship with other moms
• Feeling more organized
• Five weeks of school finished
• Mercy
• Grace
• Hope!