Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo

The book Heaven is for Real by Ted Burpo is a great book. Ted tells about his son Colton who had an emergency appendectomy and during the surgery he went to heaven. Colton is a 3 year old who starts telling his parents random facts about heaven that a 3 year old would never know unless they had experienced it for themselves. The whole purpose of this book is to bring hope and to in the words of Colton tell other people that Heaven is for Real.

This book was very interesting to me, especially with the way that the family finds out about Colton going to heaven. It was a hard book to put down because I wanted to find out more about the things he saw and people he met, and the interesting way that his parents get the information out of him since they don’t want to lead him to any answers. It was so neat to hear of the various things that Colton saw in heaven and to see the Biblical references to the items he was speaking of. The book has a few places where I got teary eyed because of the information that Colton told his parents. I would highly recommend this book. I would like to thank Booksneeze and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of the book.

Remember Why You Play by David Thomas

The book Remember Why You Play by David Thomas, is awesome. It is not only well written but it is very engaging and give you a lot to think about in your own life and the people whom you influence. This book is about a football team from a Christian school in Texas and how the coach is teaching his athletes to be great men of God, and that it is about more than a game it's about people and relationships. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to Tyndale House for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book.

The Nativity Collection by Robert J. Morgan

The Nativity Collection by Robert J. Morgan is a book of six stories that share the smiles, the heart, and the hope of Christmas. This book is great and the stories capture many of the different aspects of the real spirit of Christmas and the happenings around the birth of the Christ child.

This book was very interesting and got my attention from the very first story to the last and actually left me wanting more. The stories are well written and show many different ways that the spirit of Christmas can be shown in our lives. The stories will have you laughing and there are even a few that will bring a tear to your eye. The author is a great story teller and I can only hope that he will write more because his simple stories teach great lessons. I highly recommend this book it is a simple read and yet has some very strong truths. This book would make a great Christmas present, or Christmas tradition to read through each year. Thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing me a complimentary copy of this book.

The One Year Choose Your Own Ending Devotions

The One Year Choose Your Own Ending Devotions book is a great book to help young minds learn to apply biblical principles to their lives. This devotional tells part of a story and then allows your child to finish it with what they think the right thing to do would be. In the back of the book there are examples to look at after they have ended the story themselves. There are also activities for each devotion to help the child apply the lesson. Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book.

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

The book Outlive your Life by Max Lucado is a modern day look at the book of Acts. This book really helped me understand how some of the things that took place in Acts can relate to me today and what I can do to outlive my life. This book is about making the most of everything you have and do so that at the end of your life you can say you have no regrets.

Like all of Max Lucado's book this book is well written, an easy read and you learn how to apply biblical principles to your life. I really enjoyed this book because there are stories from the book of Acts that I have read but never really understood how they could relate to us today and this book shows clear examples of how you can relate to those stories and how to apply those principles to your life. I highly recommend this book. It was quite fun to read and I learned a lot about myself through the different examples he provided. Thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing me with an advanced reading copy.

One Hand, Two Hands by Max Lucado, illustrated by Gaby Hansen

One Hand, Two Hands by Max Lucado, illustrated by Gaby Hansen. This cute children’s book has a very simple message about how our hands can do all kinds of things, but that the best thing to do with them is help. This book is written more for younger children ages 2-6, although the message is one that everyone should practice.

The message in this book is presented in a very simple way and would really only interest younger children. The pictures are very cute and colorful. The message throughout the book is that we can use our hands for many things but the best thing to use them for is to help. I would recommend this book if you have younger children or children who are just learning to read, this would be a great book to practice reading skills with. I would like to thank Tommy Nelson for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews, Illustrated by Philip Hurst

The Boy Who Changed the World is written by Andy Andrews and illustrated by Philip Hurst. This childrens book has a great message about how the things you do has a ripple effect, and no matter how small you consider something, eventually it may lead to something great. This book is great for children ages 3 to adults, the message in this story is even beneficial to adults.

This message in this book is a great one and easily explained so that even the youngest child can understand. It tells 3 stories of men who influenced each other, but didn’t even realize that they were influencing anyone. The illustrations are very colorful and well done. The spiritual message in the book is laced through the whole story and enforced over and over again. I would highly recommend this book the message is such an important one that I think everyone should read this book. I would like to thank Tommy Nelson for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

Our Miracle!

So by now I am sure that most of you have either gotten a visit, phone call, text or saw our post on facebook that we are going to be parents. But do you all truly know how BIG of a miracle this is?

When I was 15 or 16 I was diagnosed with endometriosis. If you don't know what it is here's a link you can check out. I was told then that I had a slim chance of ever having children and that if I wanted them I needed to try sooner than later, this is a lot to tell a 16 year old, especially when I had always dreamed of having children and being a Mommy. As the years went on the endometriosis got worse and I had to try all different kinds of hormonal therapies, to try to have a relatively pain free life. All of those treatments according to the doctors lessened my chance of having children but they made me able to live a relatively normal life.

Throughout the years I had always known that at some point I would have children, but I had resigned myself to that fact that these children wouldn't come from my body but from my heart, through adoption and I was OK with that because I know that there are lots of children out there who need a mommy and a daddy.

I have had lots of friends and family who have been praying for us through the years and you all know who you are.

In March of this year I talked to the doctor about either having a hysterectomy or trying to get pregnant because we (Matt and I) are not getting any younger, and I don't want to live the rest of my life in pain, or the fear that it might come back. So after getting the clear from the doctor and waiting the two months to be sure that the medicine was clear from my system, the doctor was afraid that if we did conceive there would be terrible birth defects. The doctor also told me that there is a large chance that we would never conceive. I told him I understood what he was saying but I have a promise from God that I can cling to that "With God all things are Possible!" That specific phrase is mentioned many times in the Bible, and that's what I was clinging to, and I also knew what God says in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." So I knew that whether we were able to conceive naturally or if we were to adopt that God knew what was best for us, and that He will never harm us.

So thank you all for sharing in our miracle, and please continue to keep us in your prayers, this is definitely a new but exciting chapter for us.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Let's Do Lunch by Roger Troy Wilson

In the book 'Let's Do Lunch' by Roger Troy Wilson he claims you can lost weight by 'eating all the calories and carbs you want.' He goes on to tell his story of how he lost 230 lbs on this plan that he designed. He states many times in the book that this is not a fruit diet, but he mentions just as many times if not more that you should eat fruit to fill you.

As a person who struggles with my weight I was curious about the author’s claim that I could eat all the calories and carbs I wanted to and still lose weight. To me this sounded too good to be true, and as I read the book I realized that it is. The most enjoyable part of this book for me was reading the author’s testimony about the weight he lost, not because of the diet he used to do it just because it’s really encouraging to see larger people lose weight and keep it off. I personally do not recommend this book, unless you can live without potatoes, bread, pasta, and chocolate. For me this diet would be impossible.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishing for giving me a complimentary copy of this book.

Jungle Warfare: A Basic Field Manual for Christians in Sales by Christopher A. Cunningham

Jungle Warfare is an interesting combination of a World War II field manual, your typical sales book and a 22 day devotional. The author uses quotes from his grandfather’s World War II field Manual and scripture to encourage Christians in sales to be sure that they are reflecting their beliefs in their sales and meetings.

This book has an interesting way of getting you to think about the way you are selling an item and your religious beliefs. The author has an innovative approach to combing sales and Christianity and really conveys his point about being a Christian in sales, and even though it is hard to be one, that Christ has called us to live set apart and that includes every area of our lives, even if we have quotas and sales to make. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a Christian and works in sales it is biblically based and very encouraging.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book.

"Cast of Characters" by Max Lucado

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t relate to the people in the Bible, that their stories were just history and not relevant to you today? In his book “Cast of Characters” Max Lucado retells stories of Bible Heroes and helps you realize that they were just “common people in the hands of an uncommon God.” He helps you see how their stories can be relevant today and how you are very similar to them.

This book was such an encouragement to me, because it helped me realize that God doesn’t use perfect people, and the people who have it all together. Rather, He uses those who have problems and bad habits and makes their lives an example of His love, grace and mercy. This book is another treasure by Max Lucado and really helped me see that I have similarities to the people of the Bible and that God can use me just like he used them. I may not ever know the impact of my life, just like the people in the Bible didn’t know the impact that they would have on generations to come, but God has a plan and a purpose for everything that we do.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book.

Deals for Week of 6/15/10

Walgreens: (RR= register reward)

Nivea for Men Active 3 body wash $5.99 **earns $6.00 RRs**
-use $1.00 off 1 Nivea for Men Body Wash (4/25 RP)
=free plus $1.00 moneymaker after coupon and RR

Schick Hydro Razor $7.99 **earns $4.00 RR**
- use $5.00 off 1 Hydro (6/13 SS)
= free plus $1.01 moneymaker after coupon and RR. There is also a mail in rebate for the full price of this razor. Click here

Post Cereal $1.99
- use $2.00 off 1 Post click here
= free after coupon


CVS: (ECB= Extra Care Bucks)

Gillette or Old Spice Body Wash $4 Earn 4 ECBs Limit 2
-B1G1 Gillette Body Wash (P&G 06/06/10)
=2 free products and $4.00 moneymaker after coupon and ECBs

Schick Hydro Razor $8.97 Earn 4 ECBs Limit 1
-$5/1 Schick Hydro Razor (SS 05/09/10)
= free + .03 cents overage after coupon and ECBs. There is also a mail in rebate for the full price of this razor. Click here


Kroger:

Ivory Soap or Body Wash $1.00
- use .50/1 Ivory Body Wash (6/6 P&G)
= free after coupon


Meijer:

Aunt Millie’s Family Style bread/ham buns/hot dog buns 8 ct $1.00
- use $.55 off 1 Aunt Millie’s bread (5/16 RP), doubles to $1.00
- use $.55 off 1 Aunt Millie’s buns (4/18 RP), doubles to $1.00
- use $.55 off 1 Aunt Millie’s buns (5/16 RP), doubles to $1.00
= free


Target:

Clean & Clear Pore Perfecting Cleanser or Moisturizer $2.00 (price cut down from $6.49!)
use the $2/1 Clean & Clear coupon here
= free

Vanish Toilet Bowl Drop-Ins
use B1G1 Free Vanish Toilet Bowl Drop-Ins Target Coupon
and use B1G1 Free Vanish Toilet Bowl Drop-Ins Manufacturer’s Coupon from coupons.com
= 2 free

Johnson and Johnson 9 oz. Baby Lotion or Baby Powder $1.97
use the $.75/2 Johnson’s Baby Products Target Coupon
and use $1/1 Johnson’s Baby Product from 4/25 SS
= $.60 each

Ziploc Gallon Bags $2.33 (38 ct)
use $1/1 Ziploc Target Coupon
and use $1/2 Ziploc from 5/16 SS
= $.83 each

Nivea Q10 Revitalizing Shave Gel – $3.64
Buy 2 and use $4/2 printable here
and use 2 $2/1 Target Coupon
= free

Herbal Essence Travel Size Products (Gel, Shampoo or Conditioner) – $0.97/ea
Use $1/1 Herbal Essences Product (5/16 RP)
= free

List of Blogs and Websites I Find Useful

These Blogs are listed in no particular order:


Coupon Nerdz

The Thrifty Mama

Frugalicious Friend

Money Saving Mom

Stretching a Buck

The Frugal Girls

Websites:

Hot Coupon World

GotttaDeal.com

Target and Walgreens Deals

A few Target Deals (you can print 2 each of coupons from Target.com, coupons.com):

Shout Stain Remover — regularly priced at $1.97 — used $0.55/1 from 5/2 SmartSource insert (there were $0.55/1 peelie coupons on all the bottles at our store, too), stacked with $1/1 Target Printable — $0.42 each after coupons. Or you can print this coupon for $0.75 off Shout Stain Remover making them $0.22 each after coupons.


Nexcare (20 ct.) Strawberry Shortcake Bandages — $1.87 — used $0.50/1 Target coupon, stacked with $1/1 Nexcare printable — $0.37 after coupon

Armor All — $2.49 each, used $2/1 manufacturer’s coupon — $0.49 after coupons


A Few Walgreens deals for those of you who don't know much about Walgreens, they have a program called Register Rewards. Register Rewards are "instant rebates." Items qualifying for Register Rewards are marked in the weekly sales flier for Walgreens. When you go to Walgreens and buy an item that is eligible for a Register Rewards rebate, you will get a coupon that prints out at the register that is good for a certain amount off a future order. : (note these deals will end 6/5/10)

Buy 1 Ecotrin (45ct) at $2, Get $2 Register Rewards
Use $2/1 coupon from the 5/16 RedPlum insert or printable
Free plus overage after coupon and Register Rewards

Buy 1 Walgreens A thru Z Select Multivitamins at $2, Get $2 Register Rewards
Free after Register Rewards

Buy 1 U by Kotex at $3.49, Get $2.50 Register Rewards
Use $1/1 printable or coupon from the 4/8 SmartSource insert
Free after coupon and Register Rewards

Thanks to:

Money Saving Mom
Coupons 101