Finished It.

Wow. It is overwhelmingly challenging. I'm not sure I can intelligently converse (or write) about it. Just know I recommend anyone reading it and will be praying over the Lord's direction for me and our family in light of the challenge David Platt presents his readers.

One thing is for sure, we've been busy playing and building towers.  We're also perfecting the "fake" smile.

It was also another pretty good week at Publix.

Regular price: $183.53

I paid: $111.17

Savings: $72.36

+ a $10.00 gift card to arrive in April (from Kimberly Clark)

So, the results driven side of me wants to say that I spent $101 and saved $82, but I don't have the gift card in hand, so it doesn't really count yet.  Also, I don't normally spend this much at publix, but the formula, diapers, pullups and wipes were about $50, (even with coupons), so that makes a big difference.  

Incidentally, I try to pay about .20/diaper (or less) for pampers.  Today, the cruisers were just .20/diaper ea. (that's cheaper than Sam's and most prices on diapers.com).  The special price was because:

1. Publix sale price: $19.99

2. Publix baby club coupon (sign up on Publix website): $5.00 cruisers

3. Pampers coupon in paper today: $2 off pampers diapers and wipes.

made diapers $13.99 (before tax) for 68.

And the pull ups were even better!!! Usually pull-ups can range from .30 to .50 ea.  Ugh.  (side note, we have GOT to eliminate these.)  Anywho, today, pull-ups were just .23 ea.

1. Publix price: $10.99

2. Publix coupon: $2.50 off pull-ups

3. Huggies coupon: $2.00 off

Total price for pack of 28: $6.49

And CVS didn't disappoint either:

I didn't calucate the regular price for these items, I just know the diapers alone are around $9 or $10.

For all of the above, I paid out of pocket, $6.57

I started with $10 ECB (CVS money) left over from last week.  I got all the soaps with coupons from today's paper and my ECBs (plus some cash), and got $5 ECB back from that transaction.  Then, I used the $5 ECB and a coupon for the diapers.  That made the diapers $3.71 or an amazing .11/ea!!!!!  

I hope some of y'all are encouraged to give the whole couponing thing a try.  It really does help--and it can be kinda fun too (or maybe that's just for nerds like me).  It takes some effort but it's worth it. I know I've blogged about it before, but if you're new to couponing, go here and check out all her explanations. I am by no means an expert and still have LOTS to learn but Jenny at southernsavers explains the store policies and the drugstore scenarios too--as well as tons of other things.  Also, when I first started I used this site and it helped me get into the rhythm of when to buy items and what is the lowest price. 

I continue to be amazed how the Lord provides in so many different ways, for all our needs!

TTFN.

Radical Couponing

A new year.  New beginnings.  New resolutions.  I've thought so much about things I want to accomplish/change/improve in 2011 and it is too overwhelming for me to list consecutively. So, I'm trying to categorize.    I've read several materials lately of people who "name" their year. I admit, I found it kinda lame, or just weird at first.  But the more I prayed over it, the more I felt the Lord revealing that intently focusing on a "theme" for a year helps reign in some of life's chaos.  So, I began to wonder how the Spirit would work in me in 2011 if I tried to view circumstances through a common lens, which meant I was opening my heart to "naming" 2011.  And you'll never guess what happened.  In church a few weeks ago, the Lord revealed exactly what 2011 should be about for me.  It is the year of Redemption.  The more I prayed and thought about it, the more excited I became.  After all redemption is entirely about making things new.  And what better way to start than with a new year.  So, I hope to consistently remind myself of all the redemptive works the Lord continues to do in me, my family and the world.  I'm also (more timidly) approaching 2011 with the prayer that the Lord would uncover areas in my life in need of redemption, and give me the strength to obey Him in those areas.  So, here's to 2011!

Where has that left me on January 24? Well, after nearly completing the 2011 Avery budget revision, it was time to remember all the different ways the Lord provides---including coupons.  So, back to Publix I've been.   Realizing this is the third year I've been "playing the game," I'm hoping to approach 2011 with a more generous attitude. To that end, and with respect to couponing, in 2011 I hope to:

1. Use coupons for free or nearly free items to donate (I'm terrible about doing this);

2. Avoid the "hoarding mentality" couponing often creates in me (hence the 47 boxes of pasta in our pantry);

3. Reduce the "competition."  A deal is a deal only if we will use it.  And it is not a deal if it cost more in gas to drive to 5 stores than the money I'm saving. duh; and

4. Stay under budget each month, saving what remains for our missions giving.

That said, the Lord continues to provide and this week my Publix take was:

Full Price: 85.25

I paid: $52.09

I saved: $33.16

Not the best overall % savings, but then I realized that each package of formula is $22.49 (regular price--but I had coupons). So, the two formulas alone (had I paid regular price) nearly totaled what I paid for everything else!

BUT you ask...what are we "eating" this month?  Well, we eat mostly out of our stockpile. But, I do go to other discount stores to get a few non-sale items (which usually saves a few $$ over buying them at publix).  Overall, I would say 90% of the ingredients I use for the week comes from our stockpile. (Of course, we get fresh produce and publix milk each week which does not.)  So, good luck to all you couponers--and try it if you're not!! It's actually pretty fun!  

And, since January is not only our budget month, but also the global missions month at our church, I'm finally reading this.

The first few pages are already challenging.  I cannot wait to pick it up again, and I am dreading it all at the same time. I'm hoping to be: totally transformed by the Spirit through these words; encouraged to fixate on heavenly treasures; and broken over people in the world who have not heard the Gospel at all.  If you've already read it, I'd love to hear what you thought!!

Tootles--and happy 2011 (24 days later...)

Pray

Not blessing the food.  Not the rote, unthoughtful offerings for parking places or the like. Not the empty pleas for something to be fixed. to go my way. immediately.  Instead, what happened, to real, fully prostrate, knee scarring, vulnerable, intense moments of prayer?  I tell myself that it is because I am too busy. Too many people depending on me to do my job, so they can do theirs.  And then, I read this.  In part it says:

“It’s my own inflated sense of self-importance, the elevation of my work, of my agenda, that keeps me from prayer-communion.”

...

“That’s called idol worship. I don’t pray enough because I’m practicing idol worship.”

...

Really? Why didn’t someone tell me that all my excuse making was nothing but a cheap cover for idolatry?

...

Since when did I begin thinking my contribution to the world was so significant — uncrumbed counters, unlegoed floors — that I was so necessary, that I couldn’t stop, slow, still and commune with Jesus?

And I feel the twinge of conviction.  Tears of sadness well up in my eyes.  The author must know me.  She must watch my life. My selfishness.  But as soon as the burning in my gut appears, the river of Grace pours out in my heart like a broken dam.  He continues to make me new.  To restore me.  To restore my family. My children.  He is so much more important than I will ever be.  And all He wants is to know me. 

Imagine that.

And He promises I will KNOW Him more fully, more wonderfully, more divinely if I just take the time He gives me, and spend it with Him.  

So, if you've got a minute, I'm sure you will enjoy reading the post in its entirety.*

*I have not vetted the linked blog. Accordingly, I'm not endorsing any other material found therein.  But something tells me it is all encouraging and inspiring.

The Princess and the Frog

 Just another day spent entirely indoors.  At least we're clean and in character.

He's certainly the cutest frog she'll ever kiss!!

And what got us so worked up and dirty?  Well, jumping indoors of course.  So glad I got this idea from some great friends we visited a few weeks ago.   They always do the coolest things with their kids. (Incidentally, you should check out his music here.  It ROCKS.  Seriously.).

Emma also got a little dirty from chalk dust--not to mention the dust that is all over the floor. Oh well.  It was worth it to learn to draw some shapes, or as we call it, "connect the dots."

Wow. Two posts in two days. You know we must be exhausting all our indoor activities. Looking forward to Jason getting home and some warmer weather (not to mention an a-w-e-s-o-m-e girls weekend in Nashville for me!).

Tootles.

B-A-N-A-N-A-S

It doesn't need to be repeated, but it sure has been COLD here the last few days.  Except for the natural refrigeration Jason and I could enjoy (above), it's sort of been a disappointing cold because unlike snow, ice isn't as nice for the fun.  See, you can't pick it up.

Can't really make snow angels.

All in all, it just sort of hangs around.

But Emma has never met an outdoor activity she didn't love.  So we've been in pretty good spirits despite the frigid temperatures!

I'm sure there are plenty of folks around these parts who are going bananas from being inside so much.  I might usually count myself as one of them, but we've actually been really cozy and comfortable at home playing.  Even with Jason back in the big D, we've found our ways to pass the time. For example, we had these laying around.

Which meant it was time to make banana nut bread.  So, I grabbed some ingredients and my favorite sous chef.

First up, peeling the bananas.  A task none-too-small for a three year old.

It requires physical strength.

And LOTS of patience.

A semi-short time later, it was time to mix.

Poured in a loaf pan and shoved in the oven for an hour and we had our morning snack.

It was GLEElicious!

(Jane Shelton, this one is for you. Call DHR if you must!)