What to blog about?

Blogs are a funny thing. Some bloggers blog about their hobbies, some to document their family's doings, some to share their intermost thoughts. I am not sure where I fall. A bit of each. But, what to blog about today? I just found out a dear friend of mine has MS. My heart aches for her and her family. I can't even express how sad this makes me. So, I had planned on blogging today about some funny things that happened during our week, maybe about a new deal I found, or how homeschooling is going, but since I found out about my friend, blogging about that just seemed so silly. How can I blog about how happy-go-lucky I am feeling when I know she is not? The past little while I have had a friend with cancer and now I have a friend with MS. Ever read the NieNie blog? So wonderful, and sad, and faith building all at the same time. I can't help but think, "Geez, this journey called life is hard and not fun sometimes." It is hard. Dang hard. How do we cope? Where do we find peace in all this? I know where and so do you, don't you? I am grateful for a loving Savior that suffered all so he would know how to comfort us. I have called upon him for comfort many times. How grateful I am for Him and for a loving Heavenly Father who I know loves us and does not leave us alone. To my dear friend, I love ya. Everyone does. Hang in there. It's going to be ok.

Boom, baby!!

It has been awhile since I have posted any screamin' deals I've gotten lately so today is the day. Kmart is having a rockin' deal right now with Proctor and Gamble products. They are also having DOUBLE COUPONS until Saturday, up to $2.00 Can you hear how excited and giddy I am??? Well, read on.....

Spend $25 in a single transation and get $10 back via mail from P&G. Kmart was out of the rebate forms so they gave me a Kmart gift card and let me use it today. Sweet. So I bought:

2- Tide detergents (52 loads) $9.00 each
1- Downy fabric softener (120 loads) $9.00 each
Total: $27
Then I had coupons for each item (you knew I was gonna use coupons, right??):
Tide $1.00 off one, which they doubled, so I saved $2.00 off each one
Downy $1.00 off one, which they doubled, so again, I saved $2.00 off each one
For the record, I have been a coupon junkie for several years and have NEVER, ever seen such high value coupons for Tide and Downy. Usually they are .35! Not even worth it, IMO. So, I am all about using up all the coupons I have for these. By the time I am done, we will have quite a stockpile going.....

Here's the math:
$27.00 minus $10.00 (gift card) minus $6.00 (coupons used)= $11.00!!!!!!!
So, basically I paid $3.66 for each item. HELLO! BOOM, BABY!!! I am quite pleased! I think I need to go back tomorrow for more. You can use up to 5 coupons per day, with your rewards card through Saturday, so run as fast as you can to Kmart!!

"When we're helping, we're happy....."

You remember that primary song, don't you? I do. I love it. Who doesn't love singing the words "Tra-la-la" over and over??!! I have tried to make an effort to make sure my kids know I love serving them, in the hopes they will follow my lead and find joy in serving others. Don't get me wrong, I have been known to say the not-so-nice words of, "Can't you find something to do\eat\play that I don't have to help you with???!!!". Some days I just can't muster up the happy face to cut one more apple, pour one more drink, find one more piece of paper, locate the same lost toy, and so on. But, I really do try to say the words, "I'd be happy to", when my kids ask for my help.

The other morning I was putting fresh sheets on my bed and I asked Seth and Addie if they'd like to help. They did. Yay. I found myself singing that beloved primary song and soon they were joining in and singing with me. Yes, even Seth sang, and he does not always sing the morning song that starts our day.

So then, I asked Seth to come in the bathroom so I could put gel in his hair and I found myself still singing but I changed the words to this: "When I'm helping, I'm happy, and I sing as I go. For I love to help Seth, cause I just love him so". He smiled at me. A sweet, precious smile. So I sang the same song for Addie as I fixed her hair. Same sweet smile. Then it was Sasha's turn to get her hair done and again I sang to her. She liked it too. It was such a simple thing to do, but it really brightened my day, and sure made my kids smile. Serving others is such a blessing and I want to always sing as I go. Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la, Tra-la-la-la-la-la!!