Friday Freebie

Today's Freebie isn't coming in the form of a gift from me, but a gift you can earn yourself, without having to do any extra work!

What is Swagbucks?

According to Swagbucks website,
Swagbucks.com is the web's premier rewards site. Powered by Prodege LLC, Swagbucks.com allows web users to earn virtual currency by doing the things they do every day - search the web, shopping at their favorite retailers, and by engaging in other activities such as phone recycling, submitting polls, and completing special offers. Swagbucks.com is the only place on the web to get what you want without ever having to spend a dime.

We joined Swagbucks in February of 2009 and since then have earned over $400 in Amazon gift cards. It is super easy! You just search the web for things you already search on a day to day basis. I even search for websites I know the address for sometimes! You randomly earn swag bucks through searching and you can use those bucks to purchase gifts cards for places like Starbucks and Amazon, just to name a few.  

If you are interested in signing up, it just takes a minute. And if you register through the link below then I will get swagbucks for referring you. Then, you can refer to your friends.

Check it out....maybe you can use the bucks for your Christmas shopping!

Sign up by clicking here!

Blogging Giveaway

My friend, Nikki, at Nikki's Notes, is doing a giveaway! If you would like to check it out, head over to Nikki's Notes and read about her five year blogging anniversary. Then, comment to share a big life change you have had over the past five years! I shared mine there, also.

Thankful Thursday

What am I thankful for today? I am thankful for my life. I am thankful for each day and for the opportunity that I have to share each day with my husband, daughter, and son. I am thankful for my extended family and for friends.

Today I realized something else I am grateful for. I am grateful for the opportunity to lose weight and get back to living a healthy lifestyle. Years ago I lost weight through eating right and exercise, following Weight Watchers guide to getting me back on track.  I said I would never gain that weight back. However, here I am again, 6 years later, saying that I need to lose weight. I have been saying it for years. I guess I have been disappointed that I haven't worked super hard to be healthy. And that is what it all comes down to. I want to be healthy. I want to be healthy to be a wife to my husband. I want to be healthy to be a mom to my two kiddos.  I want to be healthy to be a daughter, sister, aunt. I want to be healthy to be a good friend. I want to be healthy to serve God wherever he puts me.

So, today, I am thankful for another day, another opportunity to get this right. I need encouragement. I need support. But most of all, I need to realize that each day is a gift, and I want to make the most of each one.



Thank you to my friend Crystal for sharing the Living a Changed Life blog with me. I hope it will help me with good ideas on my weight loss journey!

Kitchen Gadgets

I am not usually a fan of lots of different kitchen gadgets because I  find I rarely use them. However, I have been receiving fresh garlic for months from Annie's Buying Club and try to use if often. The thing is, I didn't know how to properly cut up or mince fresh garlic.  

Until yesterday.

I was at a MOPS meeting at our church and the ladies were talking about a garlic press. And that with a press, I don't even have to peel the garlic. I am so excited. I knew what I needed!  

So, here is what I ordered this morning!  

Do you have a garlic press? If not, order one and we can try it out together!

Wordless Wednesday

Mom Heart Conference

I have always wanted to attend a conference for moms and today ran across one that sounds wonderful! I love reading books or writings by Sally Clarkson, and just today found out she does a Mom Heart Conference, just for moms! I would love to attend and be encouraged by her and other moms as I continue on the journey that God has given me at this time. 

Here is a link to information about the Mom Heart Conference! Check it out and let me know if you have ever been to one, or something similar!

Ever since third grade...

Today I wish a very wonderful, happy birthday to my dear, lifelong friend, Corrie! We have been friends "ever since third grade!" Our families were recently able to spend a day together. Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures together, but here are our cute kiddos!

Happy birthday, Corrie!

Ornaments

Well, I did it! I finally ordered some ornaments for myself! I usually don't buy any ornaments, except one for the kids and Ryan each year. I love to surprise them with a new ornament the night we decorate the tree. However, I don't ever really pick out something for myself. Last year my sister-in-law shared an ornament she got and I loved it.

Below is a link to what I got. Can you tell I am excited? Thank you to my husband for ordering them for me tonight and finding a coupon code on top of that! It's from PersonalizationMall.com. If you want to order too, the code is VIP8639.

Do you have a favorite ornament?

Christmas Tree

Last night we spent the evening decorating the Christmas tree, reading the Christmas story from the Bible, and talking about our Nativity. It was a great time together as a family! I loved unwrapping the ornaments and telling the kids the significance of each one. Caroline and Carter both did a great job hanging them on the tree!