An Ode To Liana

Dear Lia

You are one cool girl.

When you were born, you rocked our world.

As time goes by, your beauty grows.

Your love for life and others shows.

Your eyes of blue convey everything you feel,

Although some feelings aren't true...

For you they are real.

Your fashion sense is all it's own.

Your falls are legendary in our home.

Your cuddles

 Your kisses

Your sweet playfulness,

Your cheezing,

Your dancing,

And your giggles are the best.

You're a princess now and forever,

 With a heart of gold so pure.

Of our love you can be certain,

Now and forevermore.

Happy Birthday to our beautiful girl! Today is truly a day to celebrate!!!

E-Clubs

Many of the larger restaurant chains have E-clubs. You sign up for random news and deals by giving them your information. Sometimes a little information on your kids. Because we don't eat out a whole lot, the periodic coupons are not necessarily something that I wait to see in my inbox. There are 2 times a year, though, when I get excited for these clubs.

1. My E-club 'Anniversary'
2. My Birthday

The latter of the two happens to be this week. The big 3-0! Yes, I am excited.

I'd been wondering when these awesome coupons were going to be showing up in my inbox. This morning as I was deleting over 100 unnecessary e-mails, I stumbled upon them. Apparently, they didn't make it to my Blackberry, and since that's nearly the only method of checking my e-mail that I currently use...you get the picture.

So there they were. And I was excited! Here's a list:

McAlister's- $5 off next meal
Chili's- Free brownie sundae
Arby's- Free shake with purchase
Schlotzsky's- Free small sandwich
Joe's Crab Shack- Free dessert
Buffalo Wild Wings- Free dessert
IHOP- Free Rooty Tooty Fresh & Fruity
Mimi's Cafe- Free Entree with purchase of entree & 2 drinks
First Watch- Free Entree
Aunt Annie's Pretzel's- Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Spaghetti Warehouse- Free Spaghetti & Dessert
Macaroni Grill- Free Dessert
Marble Slab- Free Ice Cream Cone


Do you have a favorite restaurant? Or one that you would go to if it were free? See if they have an E-club!

Kellogg's

Cereal is not something we eat on a regular basis in my house. We are more eggs and fruit, or toast and fruit kind of people.  Not that my kids won't eat it, because they love cereal. I just buy it when it goes on sale and I have a coupon or a deal that will make it worthwhile.

Lately Kellogg's has been offering some GREAT incentives for buying their cereals and snacks. One of their recent rebate (if you will) programs is a $10 Gas Card with the purchase of 10 boxes of cereal. Simply click here and it will take you to the landing page for the promotion. Make sure to read the fine print. 10oz boxes or more and only certain kinds.

Then, when you see a great sale on cereal, buy as many as your budget allows! Clip 10 UPC's, send them in and done! You don't have to include the receipt which is good because I always loose mine. The best part, is you can get up to 5 of these rebates through the end of the year. I'm glad the kids love Raisin Bran!

That Went Fast

Wow, that coupon went like hot cakes. Hopefully you were able to print it before it was gone!

*UPDATED LINK* Deal For Tulsans

Reasor's, which I have mentioned oh so many times, is at it again. They have a 12 hour sale every so often which may or may not have things that I want. This time it most definitely has things I want!

First, the cheese. It's not organic, but it is decent cheese. And only $1 for an 8 ounce bag. That's a stock up price for sure!

Second, the Cape Cod Chips. YUM. If you 'Like' Cape Cod Chips on Facebook, you can print out a $1.00 off 2 bags coupon. By hitting the back button, you can print it twice. That would make them $2.50 for 2 bags.

And last, Towne House Crackers. If you log onto Kellogg's Snackpicks website I linked it to the promotions page. Sign up to be able to print out their coupons. The boxes of crackers are 2 for $3. With the printable coupon (print it twice, buy 4 boxes) it makes them $1 a piece (make sure you get the kind with the Cars 2 code on the front). THEN!!!! Sign up for this Kellogg's promotion and enter the 4 codes to receive a $5 gas card.

Happy Dealing!

*Giveaway* Winner!

Wow, seriously I have no words. I have the best readers ever! I loved the ideas (which I will pass along to Monica) for fundraising. I almost cried at some of the responses. The encouraging words and stories of triumph are wonderful. Thank you for being a part of this journey, and for your prayers for the Johnson family.

Now to the fun part! The winner of the t-shirt according to random.org is....

The Life of the Vick Family!!!!

Which is quite awesome considering her brother has adopted a little girl and is in the process of adopting their second child. Both from Ethiopia! I'll be tweeting you to find out your size & color so Monica can get it ordered.

I am hoping to post updates from Monica from time to time. But you can view them as soon as she posts them by following her blog. I know I do (peer pressure peer pressure peer pressure).

Adoption & A *Giveaway*

 Jon and I have often talked of adopting 1 or 2 little kids when our kids are a bit older. We've always felt like we would make great parents to lots of kids. Some days when my kids are at each others' throats I feel differently, but that desire always remains, simmering under the surface. Secretly, I look at little kids on the news that need parents and wonder if they're ours. Which leads me to my post today, that has nothing to do with saving money, but everything to do with giving it.

I have known Monica since high school. We had lots of classes together, but more importantly we were on the tennis team together. She is now happily married and living in Tennessee with her hubby Tommy and their adorable son (who is a minor and not my kiddo, so will remain nameless on my blog hehe). Currently they are walking through the journey of adoption. I so admire that. She's really doing it.

The cost is staggering in my mind. $30,000. But they are raising money all kinds of ways. They are selling t-shirts, African coffees, jewelry, homemade cards, brownies, candy, wristbands and more in their local community.Tommy is a teacher and coach. This is a picture of their shirt that you can buy for the amazingly low price of $10. All proceeds go towards their adoption.

Monica's blog is Six Million Minus One. It's all about this journey that they're on. The joys, the obstacles and the opportunities that people have to be a part of what they're doing. Check out and follow her blog. You will love it. Her heart is amazing, and the faith she and Tommy have in the Lord leading them through their journey is nothing short of inspiring.

And buy a t-shirt...maybe some earrings too ;)

Today I'm going to give away one of their t-shirts!!!! The winner will get to pick the size and color (pictured above). All you have to do to enter, leave a comment below. If you have an idea for fundraising, put it down. If you have words of encouragement, by all means! Or you can just put your favorite day of the week! I'm so excited for this giveaway. The winner will be announced Friday at Noon.