February 2010 Pictures

Tuesday's Tip: Fiber for Your Babies is so Important!

Jackson sees a GI doctor every 3 months.

Do you know that your little one needs 10-15 grams of dietary fiber a day?

If you do not know how much your baby is getting I would definitely start figuring out how much your baby has a day so he or she does not end up having to see a GI doctor every 3 months...ha!


Even babies as young as 14 months old need fiber!

Some recommendations:

Any Fiber One products (even for Abigail).

I enjoy:

• Fiber One chewy bars Chocolate or Peanut Butter Bar
• Fiber One yogurt (I like strawberry)

I am trying this week

• Fiber One pop tarts
• Fiber One cereal (caramel)
• We are also trying Benefiber in drinks this week and every serving has 3 grams of fiber

Natural Fiber

• Raisin Bran Cereal- 7 grams
  
• Grits- 5 grams
• Baked Beans-3.5 grams
• Whole-Wheat bread-2 grams
• Graham crackers -3 grams
• Black-eyed Peas- 8 grams
• Baked Potato (small)- 4 grams
• Applesauce 3- grams
• Strawberries 1 cup- 3-4 grams

Jackson still has to be on Miralax (which has no fiber, but just brings water to his stomach...whatever that means) until I know without a doubt that he is having at least 10 grams of fiber a day. He starts off his day which a nutri-grain bar which does have 2 grams, but it is hard to get 10 grams in. Love to hear any advice on how to get more fiber in him!

Adults, we are supposed to have 20-35 grams of fiber a day. I really enjoy Fiber One products because they are filling, are low on the Weight Watcher's points scale, and they get my fiber in for the day.

Remember that cheese, bananas, and peanut butter can contribute to constipation. Of course, Jackson loves all three of these foods...ha!

Movie Monday: Jackson and Abigail Playing with the Rocket

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For Christmas Jackson wanted: golf clubs, a rocket, and a Captain Feathersword book. The rocket, my parents got in a specialty toy shop in Greenville. As you can see, we have had a great time with the rocket!

Thursday's Tip: Sesame Street Hip Hip Hooray for School!

Currently, Jackson loves learning!

I saw this workbook at CVS "Hip Hip Hooray for School" for 3 years old and up. It is perfect for Jackson right now and has 160 pages of worksheets. The first page works on the "m" sound and you say the name of each picture and circle the objects whose names begin the "m" sound.

We do about 2 or 3 worksheets a day (if it was up to him we would do a lot more). I know a lot of other moms who teach there kids at home have letter days. For example, Monday would be "m" day. They practice writing the letter "m" and finding objects around the house all day that start with the "m" sound. Have you tried this? Do you find this helpful?

We are also learning how to write letters (he does not get frustrated anymore when he cannot hold his crayon correctly).

Other suggestions from friends to do once your toddler turns 3 are:

• Handwriting without tears
• Brain Quest Worksheets
• Visiting Learning Express Toys. I recently got Jackson a matching memory game there.
  

I cannot believe that my baby boy is about to be three and half, and growing up so quickly!

What are some things you like to do with your three year olds at home that help them learn?

Our First Ever Snowman!

When we first went out early in the morning, we did not think we were going to be able to make the snowman because the snow was so fine. Soon, once the sun started melting the snow some, Charlie was able to get the snow to pack. It was so exciting to make our first ever snowman!

Snowpalooza 2010!

I still cannot believe we had 8.6 inches of snow when two days before it happened they were not even calling for snow. This was the 5th most snow Columbia has ever seen, and it has been since the 1970's since they have seen this much snow. It was so much fun to play with, and went away as quickly as it came (we did lose power for 2 hours though). Jackson was beyond excited about it, however, Abigail did not know what to think. It was so beautiful!

Video of Charlie and the Kids Playing in the Snow in the Beginning of the 8.6 inches We Got!

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Revelation 19:6-9

"I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude and as the sound of many waters and the sound a mighty peals of thunder saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready? And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. And he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invitied to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, "These are true words of God."
Revelation 19:6-9

This is how Love to Eat, Hate to Eat (Fitzpatrick) ended. I am so glad I finished this book. So far, new goal for this year of reading 15 pages a day (Monday-Friday) has been such a huge blessing for me. Next book is my last Fitzpatrick book for a while, Idols of the Heart.

Another goal for this year is also going well, loosing the last 10-15 pounds from Abigail. Fourth week on Weight Watchers and I have lost 5.2 pounds! Feel free to ask any questions about Weight Watchers here.

Things are pretty crazy this week. We now have a "for sale" sign in our yard. If anyone is interested in a one story, 1400 sq house, with garage and fence, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, email me at emilywallace80@hotmail.com (house is in West Columbia, zoned for White Knoll).

Also, I found out today that it is going to take 4-6 weeks for us to be completely covered health insurance wise, so pray that nothing major happens in these weeks for us!

But I know God is in control of all of these things and he will work them out for our good and His glory.

Believe it or not, none of these issues are really "stressing" me. However, what is bothering me right now is that we have noticed that Abigail is not regressing with her speech, but not really progressing either. Today, I had another speech therapist friend look at her top lip frenulum, and she said it was really really tight up there, and this has been really bothering Charlie and I a lot recently. I was able to talk to our doctor today and she has referred us to go see Dr. Anna Bouknight soon for Abigail. We know she is going to have to have it clipped, so might as well do it now so she will never remember it, and to make sure it does not affect her speech. It was just last March we had Jackson's double frenulum surgery, and I cannot believe we might be doing it again this March. Just pray for the doctors to have wisdom in what is best for my baby girl in the long run. She is getting in all her molars right now as well, so that could also affect her speech as well. Unfortunately, these frenulum issues are hereditary.

Some Big News from the Wallace house

No, I am not pregnant!

The Lord has called Charlie to be the pastor of a church in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. It is bitter sweet because we love First Baptist, but it is also very exciting because we know this is where God has called us. It was amazing to see God work last Sunday morning in so many different ways. God gets all the glory!

The church runs about 180-200 people in their Sunday morning worship service. Also, Kings Mountain is only 50 minutes away from my parents house in Spartanburg. Kings Mountain is 10 minutes away from Gastonia, Shelby, etc.

Our last day at First Baptist will be February 21st.

Please continue to pray our family as well as our family at First Baptist. We have so many wonderful friends who we have been through a lot with, and we will miss everyone like crazy. I cannot believe we have already been at First Baptist two and half years. Time flies.

Also pray for our house to sell, we have never had to sell a house before because we have always been in apartment, or a parsonage. So pray we have wisdom.

Feel free to email me with any questions at emilywallace80@hotmail.com or leave questions in the comment section here. We are very excited and cannot wait to see what all God is going to do!

My Baby Girl is So Much Fun, But

Do no take a perfectly good Popsicle away from her when there is still one bite left. In her defense, she did have an ear infection in this picture but I did not know it.

Piggly Wiggly's Huge Deals this Month!

Starting 2/3 through the month of February: Get 1 Greenbax for every coupon you use up to 10 per visit

Then:

Hold onto them until Greenbax days the last three days of month (Feb. 26th – 28th), and get $15 off any purchase when you use 10 Greenbax. You can use 10 Greenbax per transaction those 3 days!

Read more about it here at Southern Savers.

So, today, after I dropped Jackson off at school, I stopped by Piggly Wiggly and used 2 coupons so now I have 6 greenbax. I plan on using more coupons before Febuary 23 and getting $15 in free groceries Feb. 26th-28th. Piggly Wiggly's prices are usually abnormally high but not this month. Be sure to check Southern Savers daily for updates.

Also, pray for my baby girl. She has an ear infection. It is only her second, and only the second time she has had to be on antibiotics (last April was the last time we filled a prescription for her...I am so thankful!). Jackson has a light cough, so pray he does not get an infection. Charlie is getting over his sinus infection that he got this week, so I am definietly feeling like "doctor" mom this week. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers!

New Books We Are Working on

Jackson is still going to Oak Grove Elementary School on Thursday mornings at 7:45 am for speech (one hour sessions). He has done really well in January and is speaking in 4 or 5 word sentences now. He is saying so much in speech his teacher says she is having a hard time writing it all down. She said last time he was like, "Look, that is a diamond shape." I am so thankful! This time last year he was hardly saying anything. Now, he is almost non-stop talking...if I will not listen, he will talk to himself.

Every month they try to work on one specific book every therapy session. The books they are now working on for February are Emma Kate by Patrica Polacco, and The Three Bears by Paul Galdone. I got both of these books off half.com for under $5. I will not pay more than $5 (this includes shipping) for any book or dvd I buy for them, because we are at the stage where books get eaten by our little goat, Abigail. I am so excited about these new books!

I still do school time daily with the kids since they are not going to Preschool. I have started strapping Abigail down in her seat during this time as well and doing activities with her (we are trying for her not to use her pacifier during the day).

Here is our current 'school' schedule at home:

Mondays: Car and block day (he works on copying what I build)
Tuesdays: Bubble day
Wednesday: Puzzle day
Thursday: Animal day
Friday: Art day
Saturday: practice ball (putting, soccer, etc).

At the end of "school" time (they are both strapped down) they get a Popsicle as a treat. This kills some time and is good exercise for their mouths.

With Jackson, we are working on obeying Mommy the first time I ask him to do something. This requires me really meaning what I say, and getting down on his level, making eye contact, and speaking in a calm but stern voice. If he does an action that deliberately hurts his sister, or harms himself (i.e. running out in the middle of the street), he gets a spanking with the "rod." (wooden spoon).

Proverbs 13:24, "He who spares the rod, hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him." Proverbs 22:15, "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him."

Ultimately, my primary goal for my children is to know Jesus. Jesus' death and resurrection is their only hope. My goal for my children is to teach them to strive to live a life where their goal is to die to themselves and depend on God.

How we live this out in their little lives may look like this: when my kids are sick, we lay hands on whoever is sick and pray in Jesus name that He will heal them. When mommy struggles with something, I pray out loud to the Holy Spirit that He will give me strength to overcome whatever I am struggling with. When Jackson is obsessing over what PJ's he is going to wear at night, and who got the certain PJ's for him, if it is us, I say, "Mommy and Daddy got them. Daddy works very hard so we can have money to have PJ's. But ultimately, Jesus graciously gave us our money and everything we have." God is completely in control (it might not be our plan but it is His plan, everything that happens to us that we have no control over). Also we sing such songs as, "Yes, Jesus loves me" and read stories daily all about Jesus from Read Aloud Bible Stories.

I have really been thinking a lot recently about parenting goals and how to practically live them out. One of my friends recently experienced an extreme family tragedy. There really were no words that I could say to comfort her. However, the Holy Spirit gave me words for her through a song. I texted her and said, "Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ and His righteousness". He is the only reason we can get out the bed the next day, he is our ONLY HOPE. We can keep our eyes fixed on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith. The Holy Spirit will give you the strength (that you do not think you havr) to set your hearts and your thoughts on Jesus. Our only hope is His blood and His righteousness. That is my "sermon" for today...ha!

Movie Monday:" Ring Around the Rosy"

Jackson wants to play "Ring Around the Rosy" a lot with Abigail. Abigail usually is very excited that he is paying attention to her. Today, when I picked them up at the gym he was playing this with her. I am so glad they are so close!

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Extreme Couponing 101 with Southern Savers

About two years ago, I first heard of Money Saving Mom through the blog world. I immediately starting my coupon adventure and have saved our family on average anywhere from $100-200 a month. I really would like to go to the next level and save our family more like $300 a month, but definitely need some help in doing this. Needless to say, I was extremely excited to hear that Jenny from Southern Savers was doing a workshop at First Baptist. It helped me so much, and I am really challenged to get to the next level (unfortunately I had to leave early...I could not believe there were 200 people there!).

Here is the top 5 things I learned from the workshop:

1. I previously knew that every six weeks all items I buy go on sale. But, she recommends when these items go on sale, to buy enough to last six weeks. I seem to forget this a lot, because I am trying to stay in a budget of $100 for groceries a week (not including diapers). If at all possible, I need to aim for buying items 40% off the original price.
2. She says in Columbia, Publix has the best deals (even over Walmart). The first reason is because when they have a BIGI free sale, you do not have to buy 2 to get the sale price. Second, Publix accepts competitor's grocery store coupons (the one in Lexington might not). This weekend, I was able to get Abigail's formula for only $18 because I used a Food Lion coupon. Third, most Publix stores double manufacturer's coupons that are 50 cents or less. Lastly, they have something called The Baby Club, and store coupons are found in Grape, Greenwise, and Family Style magazinea. Now, she admits, she does not have to have a certain item every week. In my family, we have some picky eaters, so they like certain cereals, etc. Therefore, unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I will still have to stop by Wal-Mart for the lowest prices on those items.
3. Even though you know I shop at CVS every week, I learned so much more about CVS. First, you can get a CVS white card if you have Blue Cross and Blue Shield's health insurance. Call here to get one: 1-888-543-5938. You will receive 20 percent off all CVS brand items using this white card. Also, she informed me that at non-24 hour CVS's you can get both the deals for the next week, and the deals from the previous week starting at 6 pm on Saturday night until close. This means that I will only have to go to CVS every 2 weeks! You can get rain checks for everything that is sold out, and they can go ahead and print your CVS extrabucks even though you do not have the items yet. This will definitely save me time. She says to pretend that CVS is its own little island that only accepts extrabucks and break up your purchases into many (around three) transactions.
4. Organizing-wise she puts all her coupons into this file folder/binder she has. This binder is separated into 12 weeks and she labels the date of the coupon booklet with permanent marker so she can see it. She does cut some coupons she knows she will use into a "check" file folder. She spends 30 minutes planning her trip out and types out everything she will get and what it costs and exactly how much she will spend. She puts all the coupons that she is going to use into a zip-lock bag for her trip and has her typed out list. She tries to only spend 30 minutes in the store. She says putting coupons in a clear file folder could take you up to 1 hour or even 2 hours a week which is just too much for her.
5. As far as printable coupons she recommends Redplum, Smartsource, and Coupon.com. She also recommends getting on Kraft, Nestles, and Smithfield's email list (create an email account just for coupons). Also she recommends getting the magazine All You that has a ton of coupons in it (I think from Walmart). She will not pay more than this for items

• Bananas /lbs $0.33
• Grapes / lbs .99-1.29
• Cereal - She tries not to spend more than $1 a box, diapers no more than $5 a box
  

She has a lot of workshops coming up and if you live in Columbia, I would highly recommend going to one of her workshops ($10 cost). Check out them here. She also does some in North Carolina and Georgia.

If you were there and have any more recommendations please let us know!

January 2010 Pictures

Abigail finally passed out in the car. Abigail is a great eater, but not a great napper. Jackson is a great napper, but not a great eater. The good thing is that Abigail is going to bed as early as 7:45 pm now. I love watching my babies sleep.

The above picture is Abigail's new seat. She loves to sit on the couch all by herself and will actually sit there for 10 minutes or so...she really likes to be in her daddy's little hole he makes for her (I think Charlie liked to sit like this with his mom when he was little).

Chick Fil A playground...we have seen a lot of it with it being January and not many opportunities for Jackson to release all of his energy.

Here are pictures from that wonderful day last week where it was 70 degrees!

Tuesday's Tip: Weight Watchers / No More Whining!

I do not have any money saving tips yet this week, but I am excited to get to go to SouthernSavers workshop Thursday night at the church. Hopefully I will have some tips after this workshop.

It was my first week back in Weight Watchers in over 2 years, and I lost 3.2 pounds the first week back! I was shocked because I went over 30 points for the week. I figured out that two nights a week, I was eating 1,000 calories at dinner...wow (at Moe's Tuesday nights when kids eat free, and one other night). I had Weight Watchers meals, fruits, slimfast, and just overall tried to eat very healthy. It was hard to find foods that were filling. Again, if you have any suggestions on low calorie filling food, please let me know what you enjoy!

I enjoy eating good foods, unfortunately I tend to overeat, and my goal this year is to glorify God with my eating. It is hard because loosing weight can easily consume my though life, and I just want to establish healthy eating patterns that glorify the Lord. The new book I am reading through right now is Love to Eat Hate to Eat by Elyse Fitzpatrick.

Second tip is a good little pamphlet by Ginger Plowman entitled "No More Whinning!" I got this along with the stop watch. Jackson now that he carries on conversations can really whine a lot.

She recommends:

1. Tell your child that God wants you to use self control with your voice, and you are whining.

2. Explain that love motivates you to train him, and tell him he may now wear the No Whine Watch, and when the buzzer goes off in three minutes, he may come back and ask for the juice in the correct way.

3. When buzzer goes off, have the child come back and ask for the juice in the appropriate way. For Jackson, I show him how he should ask for the juice.

I tried the watch last night, and it worked. He was a little excited about the watch and thought I had gotten him a watch to wear, but after everything was said and done he stopped whining. Praise the Lord!

I am also trying my best in public and at the house to get down on his level and look him in the eye when correcting him (Michelle does an excellent job at this and I had it modeled wonderfully by her). Especially in public, I almost whisper in his ear that what he is doing is not loving, and tell him what he should be doing instead. Speaking in a loud voice does get his attention, but it is yelling is not helping anything (although with boys it seems the only way to get their attention is to speak loudly), and is not pleasing to the Lord.

Do you have any tips on how to correct a child who is non stop whining?

Fun Friday: Video of the Kids Playing Outside in January!

Gotta love living in South Carolina where sometimes you have 70 degree days in January. It does wonders for my very active children to go outside for a while!

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Video of Jackson Reciting Brown Bear / In Honor of Anna Louise

Every day Jackson asks to go see Anna Louise recite Brown Bear on the computer( here.)

After eating some cookies after lunch, he asked to be on video saying it like Anna Louise. So here it is...in honor of Anna Lu. Enjoy!

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Wednesday's Word: Children

"Scripture teaches that children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward from God." (Ps. 12/3-5)

I am so thankful for my rewards!

From the Women's Study Bible (26). Also, from reading the Bible through in a year using This plan.

Tuesday's Tip: CVS has had great deals this month / Weight Watchers

I have been to CVS every week since the new year began.

Yesterday, I got 6 12 pack of Pepsi products for $20. I only spent $14 because I had $6 in extrabucks from last week. I also earned $10 back in extrabucks just from this purchase.

Then, I turned around and got toilet paper for $12 or $14 (I cannot remember) and used by $10 in extrabucks, so I only spent either $2-4 on toilet paper.

I also joined Weight Watchers last week since these last 15 pounds from Jackson and Abigail are just not coming off. I am going to the one on Colonial Life Blvd (Wednesdays are not good days for me), and only paid $11 for the week plus $25 for the books.

I really think Weight Watchers is the best plan out there because it makes you count the calories you are eating through their points system.

Yesterday was hard though. All I had to eat yesterday was a yogurt, Weight Watchers meal for lunch, coffee with cream, and 1 piece of pizza, and I was not a happy camper. Thursday, I am going to the store to get lots of fruits and veggies to snack on. However, I think if I only had 23 points a day every day, I would be 100 pounds and underweight so I am trying to figure out a happy balance. I did manage to only have 24 points yesterday which was a complete miracle (I chewed gum when my stomach was not growling so I would not eat...my stomach has really stretched out after having my second baby).

Do you have any advice on low calorie filling lunches or dinners that I do not have to spend hours cooking?

Movie Monday: Playing in the "Snow" at Edventure January 1st

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What have I been doing this week? Reading!

I wish I had time to blog this week, but I am sticking to my new goal this year, and I am reading. I am reading the Bible through in a year and then I am reading a Christian book after that. Most of our church is reading the bible through in 90 days which I think is fantastic. Go here to see more details.

I actually finished Counsel from the Cross today. I think this is the first book I have finished since 2007...sad. I guess blogging has taken up more time than I had realized.

My prayer for my family and for my readers and friends is that we will soak up on how much God loves us, and mediate on His love. I want my husband and children to feel how much a love them, loving them through His Holy Spirit.

I main point I learned from this book was how important it is not to forget that God loves us so much! "We are to love God consistently and passionately, and we are to love our neighbors---whether our spouse, child, or enemy---the way we already love ourselves. Real love---not just as a warm impulse washing over our minds but as a solid determination to lay down our lives and serve other though it may cost blood, sweat, or our very lives---is the royal command to the children of God who is love."

With people:

"I am commanded to love them and live in close relationship with them. I have to be patient and forgiving. I have to serve others when they don't appreciate me. And, even more shockingly, I discovered that my love for the Lord can be measured by my love for others!

"By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil; whoever, does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother." (1 John 3:10).

I new goal for me is to show my husband and children how much I love them. As well, as loving them with God's love which cannot be measured.

I highly recommend reading this book Counsel from the Cross, and I also recommend us ladies reading 15 pages a day Monday through Friday. It will be life changing (we have time for what we want to have time for)!

Happy 6th Anniversary to My Wonderful Husband!

Six years ago today, it snowed a little in Spartanburg, however, because of the clouds, the candles looked beautiful in the sanctuary. At 4 pm, I took the happiest walk I will ever have, down the aisle with my faithful father just as I had always dreamed of ever since I was a little girl.

God choose the perfect man for me, he challenges me to walk closer with the Lord, and daily dies to himself and depends on God for everything.

We have decide to give each other $15 gifts for our anniversary since this is the only holiday we do not get gifts from our family. I got him a $15 itunes gift card, and he got me a beautiful pearl necklace at Hand Picked (under $20).My homemade card for him:

Top 5 Best Memories of Last Year

1. Us getting on our face and praying for answers to Jackson’s speech problem and the Lord revealing us the answer the next day!
2. Us buying our car
3. Your 30^th Birthday Surprise!
4. You preaching so well this year
   
5. You coaching Jackson and him scoring a goal.

Since we have almost been together a Decade -Top 5 Memories of The Decade

1. Us meeting and knowing God had given us a perfect mate (knowing within weeks we would be married one day).
2. Our first Valentines day
3. Our wedding!
4. You preaching for the first time and doing so well!
5. Our children being born!

It has been the best decade of my life and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us for the next decade.

Jackson Says, "Please Let it Snow!"

He also says he is just like Nikki from the book, "The Mitten."

Abigail's First Hair Cut!

Abigail's first hair cut was not that planned. I had tried to get a hair cut appointment with Maree before Christmas but my schedule was just so crazy we could not get it in. Anyway, she cut my hair nice and quickly early Tuesday morning and we had time for Abigail to get a trim. I honestly, do not know when we will get back out there! I do want Abigail's hair to be long eventually and I do not want her to have bangs since she has a short forehead.

Maree gives the best hair cuts ever! She gave Abigail the cutest little bop hair cut and I have gotten lots of comments on how cute her hair is (before the hair cut she was definitely sporting a mullet). When I was in Sumter, the only person my hair stylist recommended was Maree Lynn, and believe it or not she goes to our church and is VERY active in our church and in the youth group. Columbia is not that small of a town...ha! She is out on Lake Murry Blvd with her own salon now and call her at (803) 920-9645, for the best hair cut in town!

Wednesday's Word: A New Year, A New Goal

I do usually like to make New Year's resolutions.

I heard today on the tv that the number one New Year's resolution was to lose weight. I always seem to be wanted to lose weight as well, I really enjoy good food. I have one simple goal this year with loosing weight. Eat healthy first! I am not going to let myself eat anything but healthy items when starting my day. I am drinking slimfast ready made shakes first (milk chocolate ones served in a cup with ice in it). I also might hide Charlie's candy/

Working out is really only like 30 percent of weight loss, eating is the rest (Weight Watcher is a great program as well, and I have done that many times. It is the only program I feel where you can actually keep the weight off when you stop going to meetings...aka you can still go out to eat!).

I digress, this is not my main new goal for the year.

My new goal for this year, drum role please (ha)....Read 15 pages a day of a book (not the Bible) Monday-Friday.

Why this goal? With two babies at home, I feel like I am loosing brain cells always thinking about what they need. I do a pretty good job of reading the Bible daily, but the rest of my free time I spend on the computer, and cutting coupons. There is so many great books I want to read that will help me grow in the knowledge of Him!

First, I am reading Counsel from the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick (one of my role models). She is a key biblical Christian counselor and I had to read her books for my classes. Next on the list is "No More Whining" by Plowman.

This book has been phenomenal so far. She write,

"the gospel tells her (a counselee) about herself: God's love for her isn't based on her performance or on her children's performance. His love is based solely on the performance of his Son. She can rejoice that God doesn't operate on a quid pro quo basis, like a cosmic vending machine that spits out treats for those who perform flawlessly. By grace alone she has been given the complete righteousness of the Son. She is his beloved child because she is in the Beloved One. The gospel tells her that her Savior, who took on flesh like hers in order to redeem her, is ruling sovereignly from heaven, never forgetting about her for one moment, never neglecting to cause all things---even her sin---to work for good. He will sanctify and keep her, even though it feels like she has been set adrift on a dark and stormy sea."

I already feel spiritual growth by just reading a chapter a day in this book! I am also reading through the Bible in a different way (a plan Crosswell Baptist Church is doing this year). It starts off reading Romans, then Genesis, etc. Click here to see it. I am reading through the Bible by reading my Woman's Study Bible (Paterson) that I used in seminary.

What about you what is your one main goal for this new year?

Tuesday's Tip: My CVS Purchases Yesterday

CVS had a lot of extra buck deals for me this week on items I was running out of. Many of the money saving mom blogs did not think there were many good deals, but I did!

First I bought with one purchase
45 Hefty CS Tall Trash (new) Bags for $6.99 (I was out)
3 Huge Containers of Pantene Shampo for $5.99 each and I had $4 worth of coupons for them

So on this purchase I paid $22.71 and got $10 EB to use on my next purchase ($5 was my quarterly EB from our medicine)

Second purchase:
2 Dove Clinc. Pro Deodorants for $16. I know that is a lot but when I go to the gym I need clinical strength (do you recommend a certain deodorant?) and these will last me 6 months. Pulse I got $4 back in extra bucks!

2 large Colgate Toothpaste for $5 and I had a .75 cent off coupon (got $2 in extrabuck here)

1 perfume for $15.99 and got $5 in extra bucks. Do not laugh but I have these lotion a friend gave me in college called "Curious" by Britany Spears. It is Charlie's favorite and I am out of perfume so I got it. Ha!

I used my $10 in extra bucks that I got in the first purchase and spent $28.48 on this purchase and got $11 in extra bucks to use on my next purchase! Plus the kids did great in CVS. I think Abigail was just so glad to be out of the house!

I am sad that CVS is not doing rain checks on EB items anymore. Does anyone know why?

Go to southern savers to see all the deals at CVS this week, and you can print off your shopping list!

Tuesday's Tip: Advice Wanted-Heat Pumps are Hard to Figure Out!

Even when we lived in apartments, we did not have a heat pump.

In the winter, our bills are crazy!

Our heat pump runs and NEVER turns off. This of course costs lots and lots of money.

I have had guys come out here many times, and they have fixed things, but in the winter it still never turns off unless I turn it off. Then, after I do turn it off, many times it goes up a degree in the house. I know that heat pumps are meant for Florida, but Columbia gets a lot colder than Florida!

So here are some of my solutions, but I would LOVE to hear your solutions.

1. Keep it on a cold 68 in the house. We are already cold at 70, so might as well keep it there it on what SC&G recommends.

2. Turn off the unit at lunch time to give it a change to regroup. Only turn it off for 30 minutes and then turn it back on (if I do not do this it will probably run for three weeks straight).

3. Last night, we went and got a Lasko heater at Walmart for $55 and keep in running in the den while we are home. The only problem is that since we have had a fire, we cannot keep it running while we sleep and do unplug it when we leave.

What are your recommendations? Have my kids sleep in a snuggie? Haha! Their rooms are freezing!

Our EdVenture Children's Museum Visit on New Year's Day

Sailing just like Captain Feathersword. Now, when he wants to be funny he says, "Blow me down." He proceeds to fall down just like Captain Feathersword and he usually get a laugh.

Jackson in a firetruck. I am glad he does not remember being in a real firetruck when he was 9 months old.

Abigail, one year old going on at least three years old. She wants to do whatever her brother is doing. Sometimes, I forget how young she really is! She loved the museum.

We had a great time at EdVenture Children's Museum on New Year's Day. I was researching fun family activities to do on New Year's Eve, and they actually have a great event on New Year's Eve around 12 pm. I was looking at this in the afternoon, so was sad we missed it.

On New Year's Eve we went to Saluda Shoals park to see the Christmas lights. It was amazing and $10 per car, and it was very educational for Jackson. So, on New Year Eve day when it was cold and raining and the kids were going crazy we decided to head out to EdVenture. We have only been there one other time (click here), and Charlie was not able to go with us that time. I highly recommend EdVenture, and the second Tuesday of every month they have family night from 5-8 pm and it is $1 a person (so I would not recommend getting season passes like I would recommend with the zoo).

Online Printable Coupons

Coupons.com just reloaded their printable coupons.

I printed off:

• Yoplait Yogurt coupons save $.50 on six
• Sweet Rolls by Pillsbury save $1.00 on two
• Cheerios save $1.00 on two
  
• Tag Junior book save $2.00 on any tag junior book.

Do you have any great online printable coupons site that you know of on items we buy every week?