Giveaway!!! A LOVE THAT MULTIPLIES BY THE DUGGARS!!!

It has been a while since I posted, but I have an awesome giveaway A LOVE THAT MULTIPLIES by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar!! I got a copy of this book when it first came out, and it is wonderful. It digs deeper in the personal beliefs and lives of the The Duggars. I highly recommend it. I had the privilege of meeting the Duggars in May 2009, and Michelle was such a blessing, after sharing with her the loss of our little Haven. They are such a wonderful family and inspiration. There are several ways to enter

1. Mandatory entry, leave a comment why you would like to win or why you just love the Duggars.

2. Become a follower of my blog(if you already follow, just leave a comment telling me so).

3. Post about this on your blog and leave a link back to where you posted it.

This giveaway will end Monday September 19(in honor of my birthday) at 9:00pm!!!

Note if you are having trouble leaving a comment please email me at dbfox97 at comcast dot net. I do moderate comments, but it should work, I have already had to put in 2 entries because the person could not leave a comment.

My garden!!!

(my first tomato)



My garden is not very big, but it is my first year. Even so, I am still excited about it. I have a raised garden because our yard is so flat, it floods. I mostly have tomatoes and cucumbers, but also some lettuce and peppers too. Do any of you have any good garden tips for me???

Belng a mother!!!

What do I like about being a mother?? Everything!! Honestly I love every stage(so far), that my children have gone through. There is nothing I don't enjoy. Sometimes it is challenging, but it is so worth it. There is nothing more precious than your children coming up to you and giving you a hug saying "I love you mommy". I love tucking my children in at night. I love being able to stay home with them. I love homeschooling them. I love watching them grow and their relationship with God grow. I love the million and one questions they ask me EVERYDAY!!! There is so much I love, I could go on and on. I am not saying that I don't struggle, believe me I do everyday, but I rely on the Lord to get me through it all. I really miss having a baby around and do pray the Lord will bless us with many more children, but if he decides it is not his will, I have 3 wonderful children that I cherish every moment I have with them. They are truly gifts from God and I can not imagine my life without them. I was planning on doing this post last week, before Mother's Day, but the time got away. So Happy Late mother's Day to all you wonderful mothers out there!! Here is a video of one of my favorite songs by Selah. It really isn't relevant to the post but could be if you have been through circumstances in motherhood!!

Kroger trip 4/13/2010 saved 89%.

2-2liter 7ups $1 each used 2 $1/1=FREE
2-sundown folic acid on sale for $1.43 each used 1 $3/2=FREE(plus .14 overage)
2 sundown vitamin d on sale for $1.78 each used 1 $3/2=.28 each
4 nature bounty magnesium vitamins on sale for $1.78 used 4 $1/1 = FREE(plus .88 overage)
2 McCormick seasonings on sale for $1 each used 2 $1/1 coupons= FREE
4 scotch brite sponges on sale for $1 each used 4 41/1 coupons=FREE
1 Domino sugar $1.85 used .50/1 doubled to $1/1= .85
2 honest teas at $1.69 each used b1g1 free=.85 each
2 yo-plait greek yogurts at $1.19 each used 2 .30/1 doubled to .60/1=.59 each

Total before store sales and coupons was $53.69
After I used my Kroger plus card the total was $33.83(all that is used towards gas points)
I used $24.79 in coupons and they doubled 3 of them for an extra $1.10 off)
My grand total was $6.09($2.47 was taxes)
A total savings of $47.60(89%)

Modesty

Lately I have really been praying about if we girls should wear long dresses and long skirts(not above the knee)all the time. It is something I have really been talking about with my husband. We do wear long dresses and long skirts 50% of the time, but I really feel we should wear them 100% of the time(except gauchos when we are riding bikes or hiking, etc). Hannah is not too excited about this. Haley loves wearing dresses. Now modesty necessary does not mean you have to wear dresses or skirts, but I feel that is the right choice for our family. Here are a few bible verses to reflect on:

I SAMUEL 16:7: “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

PROVERBS 11:22: “As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.”

I JOHN 2:16-17: “For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

ROMANS 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Here are several links for modest clothing:

http://www.hannahlise.com/

http://www.modestclothingsite.com/

http://www.modestapparelusa.com/

Of course this is just a few, we get most of ours from thrift stores and eBay. Now keep in mind too it does not do any good to wear long skirts or dresses if it has a a slit way up, is too tight, or your top is too low cut.

Here are some resources:

Christian Modesty and Public Undressing Of America

The Beauty of Modesty(This book is new and I have not read it yet, but I assume it is a great resource because it is from the vision forum)

Raising Maidens of Virtue(this touches on the subject some, but it is a wonderful book)

http://www.solvefamilyproblems.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&category_id=55&product_id=1010&Itemid=14

Happy Homemaker Monday!

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Rainy, fall weather


One of my simple pleasures:
Reading books with my babies


On my bedside table:
My bible and Mothering magazine.


On my TV:
nothing


On the menu for tonight:
Baked salmon, salad, and sautéed red peppers, onions, and mushrooms.


On my To Do List:
Laundry, bathrooms, and clean out kitchen cupboard.


New Recipe I tried last week:
None

In the craft basket:
Hem curtains.


Looking forward to:
Going to visit family in Georgia this weekend.


Homemaking Tip for this week:
Once a week, I bleach my bathrooms with the clorox spray, it helps keep them shiny white. Of course you need to wear a mask, the spray is not as strong as the actual bleach.


Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I have been too busy to read a lot of blogs


Favorite photo from last week:It is not from last week, but it is our ride home from Ga from a couple weeks ago.





Lesson learned the past few days:
God is amazing and truly does answer prayers!!!!!!!


On my Prayer List:
My family, that God will completely heal my body.


Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: I don't know about you but I am ready for the Lord to return.

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Happy Homemaker Monday!

The weather in my neck of the woods:
It was a nice cool fall day in the 60’s.


One of my simple pleasures:
Just 10 minutes of relaxing time reading a novel.


On my bedside table:
Bible
Alarm clock


On my TV:
none


On the menu for tonight:
chicken fettuccine


On my To Do List:
finish laundry fold and put away
Clean bathrooms
School work with the children


New Recipe I tried last week:
no bake cookies


In the craft basket:
finish pillow case dresses


Looking forward to:
what God has in store for the week


Homemaking Tip for this week:
I buy Mrs. Meyers concentrated cleaning clean day in lavender, you just mix it with water and gets you farther, is natural and does a better job.


Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
none


Favorite photo from last week:
My sassy little girl, Haley




Lesson learned the past few days:
I need to keep my mouth shut sometimes

On my Prayer List:
My family especially my sister.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:5

Meeting the Duggars!!!

Today the Duggars were in Dollywood and I got to meet them. They are truly a great family. I even did an interview with the camera people so who knows I might be on their show(I do not like the camera, but oh well). Here are the pictures.

CVS!!! Saved $154.43!!!:)

I went to CVS this week and it has been a while, my stockpile was low. I didn't get the best deals but still saved a lot of money.

Transaction 1:
4 Similac Advanced 32oz ready to feed 2@10.99 $21.98 Had $20 Similac check spent $1.98
3 Pert Plus 13.5 oz @2.50 each 7.50 3 $2.00 coupons $.50 each spent $1.50
Excedrin $3.99
Pantene Shampoo and conditioner 25.4 ozs each 2/11 used $1 off 2 spent $10
Taxes in Tennessee are 9.25% and 7.75%(for food) Taxes for this order $3.78
Total: $21.25 I used $3 in ecbs
total spent $17.97 and I got back $5.99(3.99for Excedrin, and $2 for pantene)
total saved $34.93

Transaction 2:
2 Cover Girl lipsticks on Sale for 5.99, $11.98 b1g1 free coupon spent $5.99
3 Motrin for children @ 5.99 each $17.97 $3 off 3 spent $14.97
1 Tylenol rapid release gels 40 ct $6.49 $2 coupon spent $4.49
1 Revlon face powder 9.99 $2 coupon spent $7.99
total: $33.34 taxes: $3.56 Grand total= $37.00
Used $7.99 in Ecbs
Spent $29.01 Got back $13( $3 cover girl, $3 Motrin, $2 Tylenol, $5 Revlon)
Total Saved $37.48

Transaction 3:
2 Lipton 100 bags $3 each $6 used 2 $.60 coupon spent $4.80
2 Ragu spaghetti sauce @$1.66 each $3.32 use $.50 off 2 spent $2.82
2 Skippy peanut butter @1.66 each $3.32 use 1 $.50 coupon spent $2.82
1 Hershey's Kisses 12 oz bag $2.50 use $2.00 cvs coupon spent $.50
3 Purex laundry detergent @2.99 each $1/2 and .50/1 coupons spent $7.47
6 Jolt gums @.99 each $5.94 3 $1/2 coupons spent $2.94
Fudge Graham cookies marked down to $.89
Total $22.24 Taxes $1.27 Grand total $23.51
Used $13 in ecbs
Spent $10.51 Got back $6($1 for each purex and $3 for lipton, Ragu, Skippy deal)
Total saved $46.96


Transaction 4:
1 Lubriderm $6.99 $1 coupon spent $5.99
4 Glade air fresheners @.99 $3.96 used b1g1 free spent $1.98
4 Revlon nail polishes @$4.99 each $19.96 on sale B1G1 free total $9.98 used 2 $2 coupons spent $5.98
2 Revlon nail clippers @2.99 each $5.98 on sale b1g1 50% off $4.48 used2 $2.00 coupons spent $2.48
Total $16.43 taxes: 1.80 Grand total $18.23
Used $6.00 in ecbs, should have been $12.23 but my total was only $8.23( I don't know where the other $4.00 came off at)
I also got $1 back in ecb from the lubriderm
Total saved 35.06

Total day Spent:
$65.72
Total Saved: 154.43
Basically I got $220.15 for $65.72

Pictures

I wanted to share a couple of pictures, from the past few weeks!!!

My little kitchen helpers!!!








Here is Bryson, I got the guitar for $10, and the dinosaur set for .25 at Goodwill

BREAKTHROUGH!!!!

Today, after weeks of patience, my sweet little boy has had a breakthrough in Reading. I remember last year getting so frustrated and impatient with him. I was ready to give up homeschooling all together. Thanks to The Maxwells and Teri's Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit, and of course the Lord God, I feel that I am doing the right thing. A lot of the times it is not the children but our won attitudes as to why we get so frustrated. I remember the second day of school this year, I got so frustrated with Bryson that I raised my voice and he started balling. Then I started crying, I had to apologize to him and to God for my attitude. He is just a little boy. I am still new at this and have a lot to learn. We just started homeschooling last year and Hannah was in the 3rd grade, so she already knew how to read and her basic math. But I know through the grace of God, I can do this. Children are such little gifts from God and I could not see me doing anything else except being here with these children all day teaching and learning from them about how great our Saviour is. I just thought I would share this. Here is the picture of my proud little boy and the first book he read, "Tip" by A beka Books k4 program.

Making Your Home a Haven: Take time to beautify!

Today Crystal wants us to beautify our homes. Take an area and decorate it with a picture or some fresh flowers. I will post pictures later on in the evening.

Now for Day 2 in 31 Days with God for Mothers:
Worrywarts-" Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42

I believe all mothers worry at one point or another. When your pregnant, or when your child is not with you. When I feel overwhelmed, I have to wake up and realize that is here and will protect my children and take care of any situation that is needed.God doesn't expect mothers to have all the answers, but He does expect us to go to Him for the answers. He not only has the answers, He is the answer! (Materials taken from :31 Days with God for Mothers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc Used with permission")


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I didn't get to take a picture because I had an unexpected event come up, but I had the table all nice and set when my Honey came home. I had fresh flowers and made the cloth napkins into the shape of flowers. I hope everyone had a great day Making their home a Haven!! Blessings Delilah

Super Savings Saturday

I have joined Money Saving Mom aka Crystal this week for Super Saving Saturday. This week I went to Kroger and this is what I got:
2 32 oz powerades @$1.00 each used 2 $1.00 of coupons FREE
1 Suave body wash @$1.69 used $.50 coupon that doubles to $1.00 Final price $.69
6 Herbal Essence Shampoo and Conditioner on sale 2/$5 used 3 $3/2 got $6.00 off at register for Proctor and Gamble deal final price: FREE
6 Met RX Big 100 Individual Nutrition Bars on sale for 6/$10 used 3 $2/2 Final price: .66 each(total $3.96)
2 French's Classic Yellow on sale $.99 each used 2 $.50 coupons that doubles to $1.00 Final cost: FREE
2 Turkey Hill teas on sale $1.00 each had 2 $1.00 coupons Final cost: FREE
I also had 1 $3 and 1 $1 off your next shopping order coupon

TOTAL BEFORE COUPONS: $32.67
Total AFTER COUPONS W/TAX: $.72

I LOVE COUPONS

FRUGAL FRIDAY

I have joined Crystal again for Frugal Friday. The best way I have saved money is buy selling one of our cars. I know what some of you may be thinking but just bare with me. When my husband got his promotion he was supposed to get a company car, well that has been 4 months and he still has not got a car. But before we knew that, we already sold his car. Sometimes it is hard not having a car to be free to go when and where I want but it has saved us so much money. With gas prices as high as they are, I just need to stay home. But not just the gas. Think about it, usually for just a standard oil change it is around $20. Minimum a year you will need is 4 once every 3 months but usually more(who doesn't use the miles up before the time). So that is around $80 a year. Next there is insurance, for us it is about $400 a year full coverage. Next is the tag, well say $80(more or less depending on the age and kind of vehicle). Then there is maintenance, that can average so I will just say $250 a year. Add all that up and that is $800 a year not to mention a car payment if you have that debt. So that is and extra $65 a month that could be put into savings. Now of course once my husband does get his company car we are not going to sell our van, but the good news is I have got accustomed to staying home, so hopefully I will not feel the need to go out as much. I know some families, for medical reasons or any other reason, has to have a second car, but I believe most families could make it on just one vehicle. Besides even if I wanted to get rid of my van, we couldn't because I am not allowed to drive his company car. I hope everyone has a blessed weekend.

Cumberland Falls!!!

This past Saturday we went to Cumberland Falls in Kentucky. It is about and hour and a half from our house. We had a picnic and then took the trail to get a closer look of the falls. We were only there for about 2 hours and we saw a storm brewing up so we had to leave. But overall it was a fun exciting day with our family. In the pictures you will notice the water looks muddy, but that was from the recent rain. The people there said it is normally crystal clear.


















Don't ask my daughter is something else!

Making Your Home a Haven Monday: Refresher Series--Tackle the Bathrooms!

1.Refresh your spirit.

Crystal has encouraged us to pick out a verse, and I chose:

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

Proverbs 18:10



I love this verse. Is it not the truth. Just calling out to the Lord can give you so much strength and make you feel so safe. I love the Lord with all my heart and want to live my life to serve him.



2. Take Time to Plan

To do:

Laundry from weekend

Dust the living room

Put up China in China cabinet



For dinner I plan on making Chicken Noodle soup with homemade bread.



3.Do something: Bathrooms

my bathrooms are pretty bad from the weekend, they need a good scrubbing. I will update with pictures soon.





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It has taken me longer than usual today to post pictures because this morning around 9 am my sister called me and told me she went to the doctor and they could not get a heartbeat on her baby. She is suppose to be 11 1/2 weeks pregnant, but the baby measured way too big. She said she could tell right away something was wrong because it looked like a blob and not a baby. The doctor tried for a while but could not get a heartbeat. I know all to well what she is going through but there are no words I could say to her. Everyone please keep her in her prayers, tomorrow she is going in for a d & c.



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Here is the before of the sink area:









and the after:



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Here is the whirlpool tub before(I do not know how that piece of paper got in there):





and after:







Here is the stand up shower before:







and after:







I hope everyone had a great day in "Making your Home a Haven". Blessings Delilah