New Blog Format

Hi friends! I have officially made the change to Wordpress. Hopefully, my auto-forward feature on Blogspot will send all of my old readers to the new page. If not, you can click here.

How He Loves Us

After reading my recent post where I discussed a song that touched my heart last Sunday, my cousin sent me an email. He wanted me to know the origin of the song. Why it was written. And I am so glad that he did. Watch this video. The song writer explains the story behind the lyrics. I am more moved now that I was on Sunday, which I didn't think was possible.



It's obvious that Steven's life DID shake the youth of our nation. He initiated a major movement in my heart that I predict will result in big things for my life. Praise God for his answered prayer.

Who Am I

A friend sent this video to me. I just love it, and had to share.

Triples and Doubles Oh My

My passion for couponing has escalated. My heart starts racing and my legs start twitching when I hear the words "sale" or "buy 2, get 3 free" or "freebate". It's bad.

Last week, we had just come off of a Super Doubles week when they announced that they were doing Triple Coupons. Oh goodness gracious. I broke out the spreadsheet and my accordion coupon organizer and started strategizing. You see, you can only use 20 coupons per visit, and there are lots of special rebate deals when you buy certain products together. So, you really have to map out your trips. I ended up going every single day of triples (that's one trip a day for SEVEN days). Can you say, annoying customer? But, you know what? I don't mind the hateful looks from shelf stocking staff and the produce catapulted at my head, if it makes cents. And it does.

I added up all of my trips from last week and my grand total was:
$46.04 out of pocket, for a total of
$344.75 worth of groceries.

That's a savings of $298.71! We got everything from free school supplies and healthy snacks, to band-aids and baby wipes. It was awesome. For me anyway. The cashiers? Not so much.

This week, it's just a normal week. And I STILL found a way to walk away with 6 free yogurts, 2 packs of free bacon, super cheap tortillas, and super cheap good-brand coffee (that's a real special treat for the husband). And I still have more coupons for all of the above. I predict a repeat trip over the weekend.

And, guess what has been announced for next week? SUPER DOUBLES. Oh my. I still haven't quite caught my breath from last week. And, I'm pretty certain my pantry and freezer are going to need reinforcements. I'm considering turning my coat closet into a stockpile pantry, and my bathtub into a deep freezer. Does that make me certifiably crazy?

Nah. According to the cashier that loves me the most (that’s being said in the most sarcastic tone possible), I am the town’s coupon queen. Someone find me a coupon for a crown.

We Will Not Become Weary

I know I have been fairly quiet here lately. And it's not for lack of activity. One of the major reasons is that I am without a camera. I had to send it away for repairs because I finally got tired of the mysterious black planet that appeared in every single photo. Hopefully, I will have it back in a week or so.

I have also been silent about a topic that has ruled our lives for the past two years. This blog was created to, first, celebrate Taylor. And, second, to journal our walk as we attempt grow our family. Ya'll walked with us through the life and loss of Poppy. And Cupcake. And many other younger babies that, we discovered, weren't meant to have a life here on earth. We have grown tremendously as parents, children, spouses, and Christians throughout the past two years. And, because it hasn't been discussed on here for a few months, doesn't mean that the growing has stopped. In fact, it has flourished.

Over the past two months, we have continued our efforts in getting pregnant, only to determine recently, that now is apparently not our time. To be honest, at first, I was devastated to come to this conclusion. In fact, I spent a good two days screaming and hollering at my new-found realization.

But, in the words of Larry Crabb, author of Shattered Dreams: God's Unexpected Pathway to Joy, we "scream and holler until the terror of life so weighs us down that we discover solid ground beneath our feet."

That solid ground is His love.

He continues, "...it should be clear that suffering, so integral to the life of Christ and His followers, is in fact among the highest forms of good. As we stop kicking against the goads, and allow our trials to produce their 'perfect work,' we too, by God's grace, can experience the supernatural passage from human happiness to unspeakable joy."

Over the past couple of days, I have spent hours and hours in prayer; had long talks with God, long hugs from Taylor, deep conversations with myself and my husband; and heard a very pertinent sermon on Sunday. And, finally, I am starting to feel the solid ground beneath my feet.

During the Sunday service, I related all too well to the lyrics of one of the worship songs:
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy

That visual brought me to tears. It so perfectly described how I felt. So susceptible. So powerless. So out. Of. Control. In all facets of my life, the thought of being out of control is gut-wrenching. But, now, today, I will confront that fear. Because letting go of control is allowing Him to gain control.

When all of a sudden
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
I realize just how beautiful you are
And how great your affections are for me

And, as our worship leader sang those words, it was if I was living in them. All of a sudden, my afflictions were eclipsed by glory.

I found hope again.

So, under guidance of our pastor, we've decided to Stop, Obey and Declare our Trust.

We're going to stop trying to control the direction of our lives. We will pray every day that another miracle baby will bless our lives, but we will not focus all of our energies on this "project". Instead, we will focus our eyes on Him. We will obey. We will allow God to move in our lives. And, if He chooses to move us to take another step in the growth in our family, we will certainly take that step. But, until we feel that He is urging us to do so, we are going to declare our trust in His plan.

I believe strongly that our family is not yet complete. I want another child desperately. But, it's time we count our blessings instead of ask for more. It's time for Taylor. And time we allowed Him control of our lives.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Storytime with Taylor

Daddy has recently added a new feature to the bedtime routine. Taylor and Daddy lay in bed side by side and first read a story from her new Jesus Storybook Bible. Then, they create a story featuring Taylor. Here's how tonight's create-your-own-adventure (Daddy-style) went.

Daddy: "Once upon a time, there was a little princess named Taylor. Taylor and her Daddy went to the..."
Taylor: "Zoo."
Daddy: "Taylor wanted to see her favorite animal. What was Taylor's favorite animal?"
Taylor: "A tiger."
Daddy: "And what did the tiger say?"
Taylor: "Roaaaaarrrrrrrrr!"
Daddy: "And what did Taylor do?"
Taylor: "I was scared."
Daddy: "What did Taylor do when she got scared?"
Taylor: "Went and got Daddy."
Daddy: "Does Daddy make you feel safe?"
Taylor: "Yeeees."
Daddy: "What did Daddy and Taylor do?"
Taylor: "We go hide."
Daddy: "Were you scared anymore?"
Taylor: "No."
Daddy: "Why weren't you scared?"
Taylor: "Cuz I was in the car!"
Daddy: "Who were you in the car with?"
Taylor: "Mommy."
Daddy: "Well, where was Daddy?"
Taylor: "Daddy had to go to work."

The End.

I am THAT Customer

So, we had a very low-key weekend where the camera actually stayed put in my purse the entire time. I believe that is a first in my life. I promise to have lots of pictures to share shortly though because my Mom is flying into town tomorrow to stay and play for a week. So prepare yourselves for a picture overload soon.

In the meantime, I wanted to give you a short update on my extreme couponing craze. I am now well-known at the local Harris Teeter, Rite Aid and Walgreens. Not sure if that is a good thing. In fact, judging by the sighs I hear from management when I enter the store, I'm pretty sure it's not a good thing. Except in the case of my wallet. I have been loving stocking my pantry for pennies.

I won't bore all of you non-couponing folk with an elaborate explanation, but let me just tell you that I have saved over $300 in groceries in just the past two weeks. Yeah. I do want to recap my morning for you though, and then I'll stop talking. Today, Taylor and I headed out to Rite Aid and Walgreens, prepped with a detailed shopping list and corresponding coupons. Here's what I got:

Rite Aid Transaction 1
Bought:
(1) Renu Multipurpose twin pack $9.99
(1) Goldfish Snackpack $0.99
(1) Natrol Probiotic $8.99
(1) Zantac 150 $4.99
Used:
-$5 off $25
-$2 off Renu
-$3 off Natrol
-$3 off Zantac
Total Due: $11.96
Got Back: $23.97 in rebates, made $12.01 profit!

Rite Aid Transaction 2
Bought:
(1) Crest Pro Health Toothpaste $2.79
(1) Garnier Fructis Shampoo $2.99
(1) Skin Clinic Wart Remover $14.99
(1) GE Light Bulbs $2
(1) Oragel training toothpaste $2.99
Used:
-$5 off $25
-$0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste
-$1 off Garnier Fructis
Total Due: $19.01
Got Back: $21.78 in rebates, made $2.77 profit!

Walgreens Transaction 1
Bought:
(1) Colgate Toothbrush 360 Sonic $5
(1) Degree Clinical Protection Deodorant $5.99
Used:
-$1 off Colgate Sonic power toothbrush
-$2 off Clinical Deodorant
-$5RR
Total Due: $2.99

Walgreens Transaction 2
Bought:
(2) Kellogs Special K Cereal
(2) Boxes Poptarts
(2) Boxes Rice Crispy Treats
(2) Boxes Nutrigrain Bars
(2) Boxes Keebler Cookies
Used:
-$1 off 2 for every item purchased
Total Due: $17
Got Back: $17 in rebates, makes it all free!


So, between Rite Aid and Walgreens in just this morning, I got $83.71 worth of products for a $11.79 profit!!! Now you can see why couponing is so much fun. (Or maybe you can't and I really am crazy). Oh, and no, we don't have warts or heartburn. The products were money-makers, so I figured, why not? Anyway, the above savings obviously doesn't even include the $230 I saved at Harris Teeter over the past two weeks. I love it.

OK, the Tater Tot is awake. Must go feed her some of the new FREE yummy snacks we now have in our kitchen!!!