So, those of you who know me well may know that I make use of coupons a lot to save on our grocery costs. I clip them from my Sunday paper, and I also print them at home from a variety of coupon websites. Now, there are folks out there who certainly do WAY better than me in terms of their savings, but I feel good about this contribution to our family budget.
As well intentioned as I am about clipping and printing coupons I can use, I do end up removing coupons which have expired each month and placing them in my recycling bin. Maybe it's not something I needed, after all, or maybe I forgot to use it before the expiration. Whatever the reason, seeing those coupons (representing potential savings) go unused never sits well with me. Well, now I have found a really good use for my unused, expired coupons.
Military families living overseas can use expired coupons up to six months after their expiration date, and I recently learned about a simple way to participate in a program to send my expired coupons to an overseas military base. Tonight, as I pulled out my expired coupons, I followed simple instructions for preparing them to be shipped, and I felt good that another budget-minded familiy will enjoy savings that would have ended up in my recycling bin.
The program I am going to be participating in is through a great coupon website called The Krazy Coupon Lady. I visit this site weekly, and scroll through the (long) list of available links to printable coupons. I love this site! Anyway, they have sponsored a number of overseas military bases and they have two coordinators (based on your U.S. geography) who handle the coupons folks send in and ship them overseas. The instructions are very simple, but necessary, so be sure to read them before mailing in any coupons. I have just finished my first two bundles of "food" and "non-food" coupons, and will send them out in the mail this week.
5.28.2012
Looking
Our birds in the nest on our porch have grown! The larger one in the back is the mother, and here are her two young birds. It has been really nice to peek out and check on them each day. I'm glad our porch flower basket could offer them a place to call home for a short time. It seems that the birds have now left the nest. I know it's spring and time to plant flowers, but I'm not sure if it will feel right to plant new flowers in the basket just yet. Maybe I'll just wait a bit...
"There's so much beauty around us for just two eyes to see.
But everywhere I go, I'm looking."
Rich Mullins, Here In America song lyric
5.20.2012
"This a Good Day"
Highlights from a simple afternoon spent outside with Hope & Geoffrey last Thursday...
 |
| Blowing bubbles... |
 |
| So much fun! |
When we returned inside, I sat down to look through the pictures I had taken on my camera. I asked Hope if she would like to see the pictures... and after showing her the first one, asked her "Hope, what's this?" It was, by the way, the photo of her blowing bubbles, so I expected her to say something like "This bubbles" or "This Hope." Instead, Hope's perfect response was...
"This a good day!"
5.18.2012
My Hope
This morning, Hope was "reading" aloud from her new princess book (thanks Miss Jen!). I heard her saying, "Once on a time, there was a little girl Hopie... was happy... ever a ever." Which of course means, "Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Hopie who lived happily ever after." So precious!!
So, I had to ask her to retell her story to make a movie of it, which she was willing to do (all I needed to do was bribe her with one piece of candy...). Then she insisted that she also wanted to do a movie of "pat-a-cake."
Just try to watch this without smiling... not even possible! Enjoy!!
So, I had to ask her to retell her story to make a movie of it, which she was willing to do (all I needed to do was bribe her with one piece of candy...). Then she insisted that she also wanted to do a movie of "pat-a-cake."
Just try to watch this without smiling... not even possible! Enjoy!!
"Once Upon a Time"
"Pat-a-Cake"
a pleasant discovery
We all have places in our homes (and our lives) that we pass by over and over (and over and over) each day. So often we may not truly 'see' our surroundings.
Monday, I was walking through one of these places in my home--my entryway. This is the place we go through each time we leave or enter our home. I'm usually in a hurry... either on my way somewhere (and often running later than I'd like to be) or on my way back in. I sometimes might notice a rabbit in the front yard, but usually I just walk on through. But Monday morning, when I took a moment to glance out the window I had a pleasant surprise.
On our porch we have a hanging flower basket, which for the last couple of years I have filled with fake flower stems. (I know, I know... I really need to do better with this...) Last years yellow flowers have not yet been refreshed (or better yet, replaced with authentic flowers...) and the basket also has weeds growing in it. But as I glanced out, I discovered a Mama bird has made her nest in our little basket. Later on when she had left the nest I was able to take a look at her babies.
In the last several days, we have had the chance to check on the baby birds several times, and I'm happy to report that they are doing fine. They are getting bigger and their feathers are filling in.
May I always see the beauty around me which is always there, just waiting to be noticed.
Monday, I was walking through one of these places in my home--my entryway. This is the place we go through each time we leave or enter our home. I'm usually in a hurry... either on my way somewhere (and often running later than I'd like to be) or on my way back in. I sometimes might notice a rabbit in the front yard, but usually I just walk on through. But Monday morning, when I took a moment to glance out the window I had a pleasant surprise.
On our porch we have a hanging flower basket, which for the last couple of years I have filled with fake flower stems. (I know, I know... I really need to do better with this...) Last years yellow flowers have not yet been refreshed (or better yet, replaced with authentic flowers...) and the basket also has weeds growing in it. But as I glanced out, I discovered a Mama bird has made her nest in our little basket. Later on when she had left the nest I was able to take a look at her babies.
In the last several days, we have had the chance to check on the baby birds several times, and I'm happy to report that they are doing fine. They are getting bigger and their feathers are filling in.
May I always see the beauty around me which is always there, just waiting to be noticed.
5.13.2012
Thoughts on Mother's Day... But Not for Hallmark
Shh... don't tell my kids... I don't really care for Mother's Day. I'm aware that this sounds like a very un-Motherly thing to admit, but living in me is still a woman who lived through a number of sad Mother's Days, and try as I might, I can't forget that woman.
During the infertility years, Mother's Day was probably the most dreaded day of the year for me. This is a day that served to remind me of everything I wished for but couldn't have. You wouldn't have found me at church on Mother's Day, or out in a restaurant. I knew from my relationships with others who also struggled with infertility, that this dread of the 'Parenting Holidays' is common.
Even after my oldest son, Geoffrey, was born, I still remembered that feeling of being 'less than' the other women. As much as I wanted to embrace Mother's Day, mainly for his sake, I just still felt a bit empty inside.
Several years after Geoffrey was born, when we were once again struggling with infertility, I had in fact become pregnant, but suffered a miscarriage... on Mother's Day. I still remember that morning, being dressed and ready to leave the house for church. I was filled with so much hopefulness for what was to come. I actually can picture exactly what I was wearing, and I recall sitting next to Geoffrey on the couch and having our photo taken. I was plunged into a deep sadness that morning, one I was familiar with as it was my second miscarriage.
God did a good work in my heart after that loss. I listened to the promptings He placed on my heart and knew He was leading us into adoption. I know first-hand how something beautiful and good can come out of something so awful. If I hadn't had my loss, I wouldn't have the family I have today. I wouldn't have my daughter, Hope.
Of course, I wasn't finished with loss, as I've already written about here. We recently lost our son whom we adopted at the same time as our daughter. We have had to move him out of our home and into a new family. This is something we never anticipated. I never expected to be on this side of adoption, to be the parent releasing her child to another mother. I am still sure of God's leading in this situation, and I know in my heart we have done the right thing. But there is still that familiar ache of loss today as I am reminded once again of what I thought would be.
I am aware that there are many women experiencing an aching today. Those women, too, I cannot forget. They are the women who so desperately want to be mothers, and cannot. They are the women who have lost a child. They are birth mothers who let their child go to live a different life with another mother. They are those who have lost their own mother.
I pray peace for these women today, and a fullness of blessing that fills up the sad and empty spaces.
I am fully aware today, also, of the significance of the blessings I have received. That God has seen fit to make me the Mother of these two most precious children is so tremendous! My children have come to me in different ways, but both have come to me through loss. And I know that this is just as it should be. These children are mine, just as God intended. And I know that I am exactly who I am because of the path I have followed. The truth is, I wouldn't change any of it. I have my God, and He has given me everything I need.
And so today, I hold my children close and I am thankful. I practice again letting go of the old places that still hurt, but I am gentle with myself in remembering that it will take time. And I am happy. It is a Blessed Life.
During the infertility years, Mother's Day was probably the most dreaded day of the year for me. This is a day that served to remind me of everything I wished for but couldn't have. You wouldn't have found me at church on Mother's Day, or out in a restaurant. I knew from my relationships with others who also struggled with infertility, that this dread of the 'Parenting Holidays' is common.
Even after my oldest son, Geoffrey, was born, I still remembered that feeling of being 'less than' the other women. As much as I wanted to embrace Mother's Day, mainly for his sake, I just still felt a bit empty inside.
Several years after Geoffrey was born, when we were once again struggling with infertility, I had in fact become pregnant, but suffered a miscarriage... on Mother's Day. I still remember that morning, being dressed and ready to leave the house for church. I was filled with so much hopefulness for what was to come. I actually can picture exactly what I was wearing, and I recall sitting next to Geoffrey on the couch and having our photo taken. I was plunged into a deep sadness that morning, one I was familiar with as it was my second miscarriage.
God did a good work in my heart after that loss. I listened to the promptings He placed on my heart and knew He was leading us into adoption. I know first-hand how something beautiful and good can come out of something so awful. If I hadn't had my loss, I wouldn't have the family I have today. I wouldn't have my daughter, Hope.
Of course, I wasn't finished with loss, as I've already written about here. We recently lost our son whom we adopted at the same time as our daughter. We have had to move him out of our home and into a new family. This is something we never anticipated. I never expected to be on this side of adoption, to be the parent releasing her child to another mother. I am still sure of God's leading in this situation, and I know in my heart we have done the right thing. But there is still that familiar ache of loss today as I am reminded once again of what I thought would be.
I am aware that there are many women experiencing an aching today. Those women, too, I cannot forget. They are the women who so desperately want to be mothers, and cannot. They are the women who have lost a child. They are birth mothers who let their child go to live a different life with another mother. They are those who have lost their own mother.
I pray peace for these women today, and a fullness of blessing that fills up the sad and empty spaces.
I am fully aware today, also, of the significance of the blessings I have received. That God has seen fit to make me the Mother of these two most precious children is so tremendous! My children have come to me in different ways, but both have come to me through loss. And I know that this is just as it should be. These children are mine, just as God intended. And I know that I am exactly who I am because of the path I have followed. The truth is, I wouldn't change any of it. I have my God, and He has given me everything I need.
And so today, I hold my children close and I am thankful. I practice again letting go of the old places that still hurt, but I am gentle with myself in remembering that it will take time. And I am happy. It is a Blessed Life.
5.12.2012
Caring for My Daugher's Hair
As those of you who know me well already know, I love taking care of Hope's hair! We often receive attention (sometimes too much attention, actually...) out in public for Hope's beautiful locks. I always consider it a special compliment when African American women ask me where I take her to have her hair done, and then they become impressed when I tell them I style it myself.
I do often get asked the same set of questions. "How long does that take?" "Doesn't she mind sitting still for that long?" "Where did you learn to do that?"
How long the process takes depends on the particular style. I don't mind taking a long time to put in a style that I know is going to last. The style she's wearing here Hope will wear probably for about a month, so the hours (about 8, over two days) spent putting it in were a good investment. Since this is the most time consuming style Hope wears, I can usually style her hair in half that time. Hope does not mind sitting still... she's used to it since I've been styling her hair since she was about 18 months old (I would have started earlier had I known what I was doing better). What some people don't realize is just how special that time is to us (me especially). We are spending time together, and I am showing her how much I care for her. We have fun, too, watching silly children's shows together. We do, of course, take frequent breaks... and let's not forget the snacks (for Hope, not me since my hands are busy)!
As to the "Where did you learn to do that?" question, I have a few answers. First off, I am blessed to have Black women in my life who have shared what they know about proper hair care. Secondly, there are many ways to learn new things on the internet. I read several hair blogs, and these blogs are often a good place to learn about a style I haven't tried yet, techniques, or good hair products. (We use all natural products, by the way, which I believe is part of the reason why Miss Hope's hair is so healthy.) Lastly, most of what I learn comes from me just getting my hands into Hope's hair and trying.
One of the hair blogs I enjoy is called "Chocolate Hair, Vanilla Care." Cute, huh? Of course this means exactly what it sound like--a white (vanilla) Mama caring for her black (chocolate) daughter's hair. Today, Hope and I are featured on the blog along with other moms and their kiddos in a post called "Share the Hair 'Mama and Me' Mother's Day 2012 Edition." Moms were asked to try to share their child's hairstyle and submit a photo. Since I had recently cut my hair short, I certainly couldn't try to wear braids like Hope, but we were still able to participate.
Please follow the link below to read the entire post at "Chocolate Hair, Vanilla Care."
http://www.chocolatehairvanillacare.com/2012/05/share-hair-mama-and-me-mothers-day-2012.html
How long the process takes depends on the particular style. I don't mind taking a long time to put in a style that I know is going to last. The style she's wearing here Hope will wear probably for about a month, so the hours (about 8, over two days) spent putting it in were a good investment. Since this is the most time consuming style Hope wears, I can usually style her hair in half that time. Hope does not mind sitting still... she's used to it since I've been styling her hair since she was about 18 months old (I would have started earlier had I known what I was doing better). What some people don't realize is just how special that time is to us (me especially). We are spending time together, and I am showing her how much I care for her. We have fun, too, watching silly children's shows together. We do, of course, take frequent breaks... and let's not forget the snacks (for Hope, not me since my hands are busy)!
As to the "Where did you learn to do that?" question, I have a few answers. First off, I am blessed to have Black women in my life who have shared what they know about proper hair care. Secondly, there are many ways to learn new things on the internet. I read several hair blogs, and these blogs are often a good place to learn about a style I haven't tried yet, techniques, or good hair products. (We use all natural products, by the way, which I believe is part of the reason why Miss Hope's hair is so healthy.) Lastly, most of what I learn comes from me just getting my hands into Hope's hair and trying.
Please follow the link below to read the entire post at "Chocolate Hair, Vanilla Care."
http://www.chocolatehairvanillacare.com/2012/05/share-hair-mama-and-me-mothers-day-2012.html
5.11.2012
Running with Heart
Geoffrey represented his class today in a track meet... he was one of four boys in his class to run a 4 x 100 meter relay! He ran the second leg of the relay.
Geoffrey truly ran his heart out. We are so proud of him for giving it his all. He receieved the baton cleanly and flew down the track. As his handed it off to the next runner, his team was still in the lead.
It was a close race, and the boys ran their best placing 3rd out of eight teams!
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