Super Saving Saturday

This week the big "score" at CVS was the Alavert Allergy money maker! I have two suffering with Spring allergies, so this was also a helpful deal. I was also excited to work in the Dunkin' Donuts coffee for me and the mac', as Samuel calls it, and a coke for the kids. This only cost me $1.68 after ECB's and I earned them all back plus some! I have $31 in ECB's for next week!
Kroger had another good sale on cereal and granola bars. I loved getting this for the kids because we are really busy with three in sports right now! Total at Kroger after coupons...$44 and change. (Some fruit not pictured, we had already put it away!)
I'm not a huge fan of Walgreen's yet, but last week a deal there on Aveeno products caught my eye and my coupons! I earned $10 in register rewards. This was a big help for the end of the month budget and I got four dozen eggs and milk for $.44 with that coupon!

Check out lots of other deals and great shopping scenerios at The "Cent"sible Sawyer and Money Saving Mom!

Exciting Mail From Africa

Last Christmas my kids put together a shoebox full of gifts to send to a needy child through Samaritan's Purse. This is a ministry headed by Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham. We have enjoyed giving in this way for the last three years and have been blessed by sharing with others at Christmas. You don't know who will get your box, you just choose a boy or a girl and an age range.
This past Christmas we chose a boy between ten and fourteen. It is a fun challenge to see how much you can fit into a shoe box. We included toothpaste,a toothbrush, paper, pencils, a pencil sharpener, sun glasses, soap, a wash cloth, index cards, hard candy, gum, and of course a baseball! All of this fit in a Rubbermaid shoe box so "our kid" could store his things for a long time! We also wrote our kid a letter to be sent in his box. We prayed for our kid and dropped it off at our "church across the street." This is the church that we visit for their Saturday night service!
We received a letter from our "kid" this week, exciting mail all the way from Zambia, Africa...Our "kid's" name is Webby and his letter said this...
Dear Family,
Thank you very much for the gifts you send to me in the shoe box, God bless you richly as you are doing the work of God. You know men of God. It's not easy to send something to someone whom you don't know, but God made it simple and easy because you have the true love of Christ in your heart. Greetings to all your family. You are good people, I enjoyed your gifts. All my family are praying for you, and we would love to hear from you soon.
Pass my love greetings to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ and all church members tell them that God loves them.
Yours in the master's service,
Webby
We were blessed by his kind words. His letter made my day! What else can I say, he said it all so well.

Making Your Home A Haven

I'm taking Crystal's challenge today to work on decluttering some areas of our house. The clutter multiplies QUICKLY around here! Ok, "keepin' it real" Here are the before pictures...and since you've seen it I HAVE to clean it up, right?

My desk

The top of the steps
"Piles" in the dining room floor (We had to move it off the table to eat:)

Socks and books on the steps
I'll update progress, this may take a while!

*Update*

We had a good, busy day and we will tackle that dining room pile tomorrow. I don't think it is as bad it looks. Most of it is probably trash! Have a good night!

My Nephew is Four Weeks Old!

I love this picture on his birth announcement!

This picture was taken today and sent to us. Modern technology is a great thing, when it works that is!

Rose is Twelve Weeks Old

I say twelve weeks because it sounds better than 3 months, ya know? Babies grow much too fast! She just gets sweeter everyday...

Sometimes I am serious....

Sometimes not so much....

I love splashing at bath time....

I catch a ride whenever I can....

I love (no kidding) watching Survivor Man with Big Bro Jacob....(Papa, we could use some new shows:)

This week at CVS

Another great week at CVS. My new goals with CVS shopping are to not spend more that change on each transaction and to get things we need. This was a good week! I was able to purchase diapers, detergent, soap, allergy medicine (for Anna, poor thing), milk (not pictured) and vinegar. I bought bubbles for the babies and M&M's for Tommy! He is sharing with us too:0) It is nice to be able to get needed items and treats too! Almond M&M's are the bomb! Anna is in coupon training. She helped with the big trip in the third picture. Our favorite sweet cashier even gave her a candy bar, which made the shopping experience all that much "sweeter". All this for $2.22 off our gift card and $27 Extra Care Bucks for next week!
If you want to learn more about CVS shopping read more at Money Saving Mom! And I'm a Superstar at Denise's site!

Fireproof

Fireproof will be released in the fall of this year. This movie is written by the same man that made Facing The Giants, one of our favorites! Visit the movie's website for more details!