Back to School Deal!

Ok, so anyone who knows my hubby knows he has a serious gift for frugality and thrift. He's very financially savvy and smart about money. I'm not really that into shopping- I don't get much enjoyment out of it- but I definitely appreciate his deal seeking skills! Who doesn't love a good deal?!


He has spent years perfecting his craft and even ran a home business on Amazon- and now that we're going to move on from that (another post on that later), I'm going to start sharing all his secrets with YOU!! There are many blogs devoted to finding good deals- but I won't waste any time sharing mediocre deals- just the very best here!! And I'll add extra coupons and rebates to make the deal sweeter. :)


So here's one for today from Staples for all the back to school needs:

This runs in store from Aug. 23-27th!

Click here for the weekly ad!

Click here for rebate deals at Staples!

And click here for a $5 off $25 coupon to add to the savings! Just print the coupon and bring it into the store for the additional savings!

Can you believe it's that time again for back to school shopping??! The start of the school year is always bittersweet for me... I'll miss the kids, but I'm also SO looking forward to the routine and structure the school year provides.

Our little Charity- my Curliecue- is starting kindergarten this year! Can't believe it. Here she was at her preschool graduation in June. Isn't she a little cutiepie?!

Mint Brownies

Made a yummy treat for Book Club tonight and thought I'd share with you:

Mint Brownies!

2/3 cup butter
3 squares unsweetened baking chocolate
2 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Melt butter and chocolate in microwave. Remove from heat and stir in wet ingredients. Mix together dry ingredients and add to mixture. Bake 350 for 25-30 min. in greased 13X9 pan. Cool completely.

Mint Frosting:

2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup butter

2 Tbsp milk

1/2 tsp. peppermine extract

green food coloring

Cream together until smooth. Spread evenly over cooled brownies.

Glaze:

2 squares unsweetened baking chocolate

2 tbsp. butter

Melt in microwave. Drizzle over brownies.

Gotta make it fun and pretty!

Add mini chocolate chips- and wallah! Best with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!!!

The kids were happy to have the leftovers. I don't bake much anymore now that I'm not addicted to this stuff- but I still do this once in a while! No complaints around here. :)

Europe (finally!)

So I figured I'd better finish this post about my trip to Bulgaria before I forget all about it! But as usual, I'll let the pictures do the talking. So grateful for this opportunity- and all the amazing people I met!! Here are some pics of my unforgettable summer adventure:

Renowned Varna Opera House

After the Broadway Show

Rehearsing!

My favorite girls!

Check out our outrageous costumes!! Lady Gaga-ish, huh?!! Soo weird- but fun!

FLORAL!

Fun pic. with my bros.

I'm usually not one to focus on the negative. I think there is great power in positive thinking and looking for the good. But I just have to point out something-


We all couldn't help but notice how many things went wrong on this trip. It was almost comical- it was seriously one thing after the next!! At the time it wasn't exactly laughable though.


So here are just a FEW of the things that went wrong on this trip:

My passport disaster
Crazy layovers – some 6, 7, 10, 12 hours long
3 girls were lost in Europe after 2nd leg of trip – and no one knew where they were for a few days.
12 people lost luggage – and many didn't get it returned for a few days.
Flu outbreak
No restaurants or places to eat at Sophia hotel
Rehearsal schedule changes without being notified
Separate Cold/cough outbreak
No toilet paper/soap or SEATS
Multiple attempts of theft/pick pockets
Many thefts- including a stolen bag, IPhone, camera, and wallet
Due to time constraints the Maestro cut most of the 2nd Act at the last minute
My friend Chelsea had pinched nerve in her arm- caused her severe pain – she went to 3 different hospitals – no one spoke English
Starting time mix-up for 1st Magic Flute – first scheduled at 7:00 – then 7:30 – but actually 8:00 and only supposed to go until 9:00!!
After everyone spent months memorizing spoken lines, they cut over half of them
Broadway stage unsafe – huge cavern (originally pit) under flimsy wooden floor – we were supposed to have 40 people jumping up and down on it! Had to restage
No A/C for Broadway actors – they were all sweating horribly
Nails/staples on stage – there were at least 100 nails on the stage
No time (or place) for Master Classes
Changed venues/itinerary/times without telling us
Forced to rehearse in courtyard (90 degrees) because rooms inadequate/small with no A/C
Inadequate rehearsal facilities- in a TINY room (dressing/practice room) with piano and 40 people in 90 degrees
The worst thing- Conductor demanded to switch Tamino and Sarastro in intermission at 2nd performance!!
Staff refused to stop smoking in Opera House
No blackouts/curtains for performance as rehearsed
No rehearsal with orchestra/conductor for final cast at Opera House
Papageno swallowed bug during Opera performance – lodged in throat – couldn’t sing for few measures
Mom had to step in and sight read for Chealsea during the 1st performance of Magic Flute


And that wasn't even half of it!

But um, other than that, the trip was awesome! We all survived! And grew closer to each other through it all. We even thought of making t-shirts for everyone that said, "I survived Varna International - and still had a blast!" Seriously- if we could do this and still put on a great show- we can do anything.

I missed my family so much though. The kids were so sweet. They threw a big party for me when I got home! They even decorated the living room...

And there were lots of hugs and loves when I got back and I couldn't get enough. There's no place like home.

Baptism Day!

Isn't this the sweetest picture? I just love this one so much. This was Celeste on her baby blessing day. She was so innocent then.

Well, our little Celeste was baptized this Saturday, and now she's perfectly innocent once again. If you're wondering- this is what we believe about baptism. What a journey she has ahead of her. My mom gave a talk on the Holy Spirit, our family sang a quartet, and Celeste even she sang a solo called "My Heavenly Father Loves Me." We videotaped it at home- so I'll upload that on here soon. It was sweet. So are some pics of her special day:

Notice Daddy's tie- it has pictures of Celeste as a baby all over it. It was fitting for the occasion. :)

We took about 10 picture attempts of the whole family, but NONE of them worked out. Believe it or not, THIS is the best one we got, haha!

After the baptism, all the people who were in attendance wrote little notes for her to save in her scrapbook as a keepsake. We were grateful to all the people who came to support her.

Celeste, we're so proud of you for making this important step in your life. You've chosen to take upon yourself the name of Christ and try to be like Him. His love truly shines through your bright eyes and sweet smile!

Love you love you!

Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader

This was Jon's favorite book as a child. His mom used to read it to him over and over, and it became really special to him. So just recently, I walked in and he was reading it to our own children! He ordered it so he could share it with them. It was a sweet moment so I had to capture it.


So here are 10 great reasons to read to your child:

1.Holding your children close while you read is an expression of love.

2.You bring the magic of books to your children. You are the storyteller!

3.You show your children how important reading is by modeling. Children learn by watching you.

4.Books are a great way to talk about characters and their problems. You can laugh and cry together.

5.Reading to your children gives them a chance to hear a variety of new words. They are learning new words in a fun way.

6.Books can help you pass on your values in an easy and comfortable way.

7.By reading books to your children, you can increase their listening skills. Their attention span will get longer. This will help them in school.

8.By reading to your children, you help them stretch their imagination and thinking. It gives children a chance to dream.

9.You are giving your children skills that will help them succeed in life.

10.You are starting a wonderful tradition that your children will want to give to their own children.

"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."

— Frederick Douglass

It's all about moments!!

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." e e cummings

Birthday Girl!

Can't believe our sweet Celeste turned 8 last week!! She's always had such a great smile and endearing personality...

This contagious smile has brightened our lives from the time she was a baby! Wherever we went, people would say, "That is the HAPPIEST baby I have ever seen!!"

And then she turned 2, and developed a bit of a 'tude... ;)

She definitely has some serious spunk! She's a strong person and she can assert herself with the best of them. And so smart!

And for as young as she is, she has gotten around a lot! She was born in Texas...

Travelled across country in a motorhome- twice! And visited 34 states!

(And thoroughly enjoyed it!)

And she's lived in 3 different states already. We can't wait to see where life will take her next!!


She had a friend pool party last week, and had a blast. Twelve giggly girls makes for one fun (and noisy) birthday bash!

Happy Birthday to our beautiful Celeste! You have such a bright future ahead!

We love you. Always have.

Always will.

Isagenix Results

Check this out! This video made me cry.

This woman is so inspiring! She achieved these results by adopting the lifestyle of nutritional cleansing I'm so passionate about. And it completely transformed her life. The amazing thing- she she was an audition finalist for the Biggest Loser and ended up losing more weight and inches than any contestant on this season's show. I really believe this is the best way to lose weight- and keep it off for life. Diets don't work! This is a healthy lifestyle change that cleanses the body and then replenishes it with the nutrients and minerals we need for optimal health. I can't stop talking about how great I feel by adopting this lifestyle. My sugar cravings are finally under control, hunger curbed, and I feel vibrant and healthy again. And now my (super sketpical) Mr. Wonderful has tried it and lost 32 lbs. in just over a month! And he loves it!! Totally don't blame him for being skeptical- I was too. When you hear claims like this- it seems like a quick fix- or a fad diet. But it's honestly not. It has been a lifesaver for me and my family- literally. With diabetes, and heart disease in our family- this lifestyle change could literally add years to our lives- not to mention dramatically improve the quality of those years. That's why I feel a moral obligation to share this with people I care about.

So I'm now coaching people through this process- and LOVING it. It's so fulfilling to help people regain their health and encourage them along the way. These are what two of my recent cleansers had to say:

"I'm so grateful that I joined Isagenix! I had been looking for a natural and healthy way to have more energy to keep up with our 5 energetic boys. After 9 days on it, I have found that I no longer need/want an afternoon nap! What?! I'm moremotivated to get things done and as an added bonus, I lost 4.5 lbs and 13 inches in those 9 days! It's an amazing product!" -Shannon P.

"After each pregnancy I went up a size in clothing, which with three kids, means a lot of weight! A wonderful friend convinced me to give Isagenix a try. Results? In my first 7 days I've lost 10 pounds, have a lot more energy, and reduced sugar cravings. I LOVE my results! Can't wait to see more weight fade away :D" -Jessica T.

See why medical doctors and nutritionists are recommending these products:
http://www.isagenix.com/us/en/areyoutoxic.dhtml

And this helps explain the difference between nutritional cleansing and dieting: http://allinonebusiness.net/PDFDocuments/DietVsIsagenix.BriefProductIntro.pdf

This stuff works. The results speak for themselves!