The Art of Couponing

For the past 9 months or so I have been working on perfecting the art of couponing. It truly is an art: combining the correct coupons, organizing your coupons, and waiting on the sales to use them.

Here are some deals that I got from Walgreens this week:

• 2 Mom's Best Oatmeal - on sale for $1, used $1 coupon = Free

• Advil Liqui-gels - $3.99 used $2 coupon plus get a RR (Registers Reward to use on next purchase) of $4.00 = Made $2.00!

• Advil PM - $3.00 used $2 coupon plus get $2 RR = Made $1.00!

• 3 Robitussin cough syrups - $4.00 each, used $3.00 coupon on each plus get $5.00 by rebate when you buy 3 = Made $2.00!

• 2 bags Robitussin cough drops - $1.99 each, used Walgreen coupon for 2/$1, then there was a coupon where you got a free bag when you bought two Robitussin cough syrups (which I did above) and I also used a $.35 coupon = Made $.35 I think...
• 2 17 sticks of Wrigley's gum - $1.00 each, used walgreen coupon of 2/$1 plus a coupon I had for BOGO (buy on get on free) and it took off $1.00 = FREE
• Clear Care contact solution $6.99 - $6.99 rebate = FREE
• Pantene Product $4.99 - $4.99 Rebate = FREE
• Glade candle $1.99 - $1.00 rebate, used $1.00 coupon = FREE
  
• I checked the sale rack near the back and found a USB for $4.00! Always check there, you never know what you will find.

So, basically I got a lot of things for free and some I made money on! They may not be things I need now, but I put them in my cupboard, and instead of running out and buying them when we need them, I go shopping in my cupboard! I am so thankful to those girls that have shown me how to do this and ultimately thankful to the Lord for providing these great deals!

Pics of Finley

Last night we went out to Justin and April's to watch the OU vs. TU game. Josh and Brooke came as well. We had a lot of fun with little Layla and Finley. Here are some pics of the little guy...

What a cutie! This pic isn't the best, but I love how he's puckering his little lips!



Me and Finn, I am such a proud aunt!



Touchdown OU!!!



More cheering...

Sunday School Party

I have recently taken over the 1-3 grade Sunday school. We had our first party last weekend. Here are some pictures of the event.

We started our with pancakes any way they wanted them - shape & toppings.




Then we decorated our paper bag puppets for a puppet show




We then played games outside until the parents came.




Here are all the girls...



And all the boys...

Lee & Brad's Wedding

Here are a few pictures of the wedding I went to last weekend. They aren't very good, but at least it gives you a glimpse.

The Bride & Groom

The Bridesmaids

Rachel, Ragen, & I

The next Bride & Groom, Abby & Josh - they will be having a double wedding with her sister, Katy, and her fiance, Caleb.

Their first dance!

Sorry!

I just wanted to appologize to all my readers for not posting in so long. I want to get better at this, but life just gets busy, and it seems it gets busy with things that aren't interesting to post.

Quick update/reasons why I haven't posted:

• Last weekend I went to a wedding in Iowa and I was the primary piano player for the ceremony (eek!). So, in the past few weeks I have been busily preparing for that. It is over now though, and whew it feels good to have that off my back!
• Since I got back, I have been trying catch up with our house. That back room is still our junk room, but I've been able to unpack a few more boxes.
• I've also had to play catch up as far as sleep goes. Those weekends away wear me out!
• One of the biggest things I think is that it's hard to get back into the groove after being out of it for so long.

So, no more excuses. I will be posting soon. Don't give up on me!

Thought for the day...

"What if our spritual condition was directly related to our physical condition? What would our physical
condition be?"

-Warren Brown

Last night in Warren and Linda Brown's missionary letter he said this. It really hit home since I do suffer with joint pain already. It made me wonder if I would even be worse off if my spiritual condition demonstrated itself through the physical. Would I be able to walk at all?

Our spiritual condition isn't demonstrated by the physical; only the individual and God knows exactly where it is. I want to challenge all of us to ask ourselves, "If my physical condition was that of my spiritual condition what kind of shape would I be in?"

Are we trusting Him fully today?

Let us grow in grace and truth and, with the Lord's help, exercise ourselves unto godliness.

Another niece!

Today, my brother and his wife had their second baby, another girl. They named her Gillian Marie (pronounced Jillian) . She was 8lb 4oz and 20.25 inches long. This now makes 10 nieces and nephews for us! We will hopfully get to meet her in a couple weeks.

All the Brothers...

Nieces & Nephews

Shawna, Rex, and the four kids came to visit this weekend to meet the new addition, Finley. We had a nice time with them all. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Meri-Kate & cousin Layla

Camryn hiding behind the curtains

Layla hit her head, so her aunts and grandma decided Dr Pepper would make her feel better. It worked! Don't worry, April we didn't let her have much...

Brooklyn being silly

Grandma with Layla

Finley Jude

Family Day

Here are pictures from our family day that we have every year. It was a lot of fun with many interesting games. You will see pictures from one of the games below that we had to weave string through each other. It was a lot of fun...

Bekah and Andy's Wedding pictures

Here is a link to Bekah's wedding pictures. They are very unique. Just type in andyandbekah and leave the password blank.

Lake of the Ozarks

We had a nice trip last week at Osage beach with my family. It was nice spending time with my niece and nephew and just take a break. Here are some pics that my sister, Bekah took from the week.

Gayle

Yesterday, my former neighbor and dear friend, Gayle went to be with the Lord. I had talked about her in a previous post. She was such a sweet and caring woman - like another grandmother to me. Even though I am so happy that she is no longer a prisoner to her oxygen and no longer suffering, I can't help but miss her greatly. She was always so caring and selfless, never wanting to be a burden and always asking about how I was doing. When we would pray together and I would pray for the Lord's return, she would say, "Yes, Lord Jesus please come." She was ready to be with the Lord. Here is a poem that reminds me of where she is now...

GOD CALLED YOU HOME

by, Nancy Burr

The other day God called you home
to live with Him above.
He said, "It's time my precious child
to feel my arms of love."
He opened up the pearly gates
and ushered you inside.
Then smiled at you and welcomed you
with His arms open wide.

I can only imagine what Heaven's like
but I'm sure you stood in awe.
I can picture you in Jesus arms
just taking in it all.
I know you longed to be with Him
to see His gentle face.
To look into His loving eyes
and feel His sweet embrace.

I'm sure you fell upon your knees
and worshipped at his feet.
Then joined the choir singing songs
and melodies so sweet.
You lived your life down here on earth
by serving God above.
And now you'll spend eternity
singing Him songs of love.

Oh how you loved Him all your days,
you gave Him your whole life.
Your love for Jesus shone so bright
even in times of strife.
You shared His love by how you lived
you gave him everything.
And I can hear Him say, "Well done",
for living for the King.

Thank you for your faithfulness
for trusting in the Lord.
For all the times you prayed for me
you deserve His best reward.
I know each day you said a prayer
for family and each friend.
And I know that you were faithful
and prayed until the end.

I know you're up in heaven now,
your face I cannot see.
But all those precious memories
will always stay with me.
I knew someday you'd leave this earth
and live with God above.
But I will keep you in my heart
and think of you with love.

Stolen Paper...

So, we started receiving the weekend package for the Tulsa World when there was a deal that worked out to be the same price as buying the Sunday paper only so we jumped on it. Well, we had been receiving our paper just fine for the past couple weeks - yeah sometimes it was under our car but at least we got it. Well...



Friday we wake up - no paper. We call and it's too late to get another so they credit our account.

Saturday we get our paper.

Sunday rolls around, my favorite time - getting to see the new coupons and ads... NO PAPER! So, I call them very upset and they said someone would bring another.

Sunday PM - We don't get home until 6:00PM and we still have no paper!

Monday AM - I call first thing this morning to complain. She sends someone out and they knock on the door and say that she was here yesterday and had seen the neighbors across the street lurking in their driveway... hmm...

She said she is going to start putting the paper on our step where it is somewhat out of view. I just don't know what to think. Was our paper lady lying? Does this really happen very much? People stealing papers?

Sorry this is in one clump, I can't get it to space my paragraphs...

I'm going to have a new sister-in-law!

Last night Brian popped the big question and Rachelle said Yes. The wedding is planned for May 24th. I'll post pictures of the ring later...

Good Deals!

The other day we were looking on Craig's List as we do everyday and found a great deal on a brand new king mattress and boxspring that had been damaged on delivery so they were selling a few for $199. We were so thankful because we have been looking for a while and have been discouraged at the prices of a quality king bed.

We were looking on Craig's list again today and lo and behold a bed frame and headboard for $25! So, this was my afternoon project... The bed takes up most of our room, but it is great. We've been wanting a king since we've gotten married so we had registered for sheets, pillows and blankets and finally get to use them!





We also ran into a great deal at Reasor's on 15th and Yale. They just bought one of the Albertson's stores so they were selling a bunch of their stuff for really cheap. Some salad dressings were 25 cents! So, we stocked up as you can see...

Pizza Party

Tonight Seth started his master's program. It is one night a week for 72 weeks. So, since he will be gone that evening every week I want to make the most of it. Tonight I had Stephanie, Kaitlin, Cynthia, Anna and Helen over. We had pizza and hung out. It was a lot of fun. We had Papa John's and I have to say it is the best pizza out there (besides the pizza found in Chicago of course). We planned an Anne of Green Gables party since the Bensch's own the movies so that will be fun.

The Back Pew

These are taken from a site called thebackpew.com It's a fun site, it has a lot of Christian cartoons that you can use for examples or just to get you to laugh. Here are a couple I like. They are both good practical reminders...

Softball

Seth is on a softball league and plays every Sunday. Here are some pictures from their games tonight. They won one and the other was really close but they lost 13 to 15.

Nice catch!



A few of the team members.



Josiah putting on his moves ;)



Nice hit!



That's my man! This was a double that scored three runs.