May our lives be filled to overflowing with joy. Whether we’re waiting on You for our next step or living according to plan, may we discover peace and joy that come to those who trust in Your will.
Give us the strength and courage to hold onto joy when others are dragging us down. For nobody can rob us of that which flows from Your Spirit.
It’s not easy to rejoice in tribulation, or to give thanks when we experience loss, but all things are possible to those who believe. All things are beautiful to those who put their trust in Your hands.
It’s been a while since I’ve been here. Not because I didn’t want to blog but because I haven’t had the time.
I’ve been sick, had a few visits to the ER and to my PC and it’s a pain when you are so busy and have to keep up with social media.
Sometimes I just need that space and time apart. I apologize to the followers, Friends, and family that comes here to read what I blog. It’s frustrating not having an updated blog. My sincere apologies.
The other reason is that my oldest son graduated high school and we had a party 🙂
What a Stress 😮 planning and organizing a party is so much stress.
My middle child graduates next year I promised I’m already planning and starting to buy things now hahhaha.
Plus every other mother/wife duty
In this post, I wanted to share some of my couponing with you guys.
I’m only a beginner and I’m just learning. Please keep this in mind. 🙂
When you’re a stay home mom and your husband is the only one working, you need to make due whatever way you can to help out.
I found out about couponing not too long ago when I saw the show on tv, and I decided to give it a try. I follow a few ladies on youtube and they post almost weekly what they go buy and the deals they go out and do.
As far as best deals out there you have to make your own judgment. Prices also veries based on region.
The deals and sales are absolutely amazing!
I’ve been saving hundreds of dollars with things we use at home every week.
I don’t do stream couponing, I don’t buy what we don’t use, and I don’t buy more quantity than we can consume in a short period of time. The reason why is.
1- Because I don’t want to have a huge stockpile.
2- I don’t see the need for me to do that. (Not criticizing anyone that does I’m just saying it’s not what I want to do.)
3- I’m fine the way I’m doing things now Thank You! 🙂
Some people will go out and buy 20 bags of sugar just because it was on sale for $1.89 and we had a $.75 off coupon on top of that.
I, on the other hand, I went out and only got 2. That was fine for me I had 2 at home and felt that 2 more bag was enough.
A lot of people think ” Well it’s on sale, great price, why not buy 20? If you can spend that $Money and you want to. Go ahead and do it. I’m just saying I don’t do it.
It’s a choice many people make, and a lot are criticized just because they use coupons.
(Not that’s anyone’s Busyness Anyways. What you do it’s your life.)
Here are a few deals from this week
At this supermarket ( Shaws ) I got
6 boxes of General Mills Cereal
4 Boxes of Puffs Tissue paper
4Nut Exactly Snack
merchandise total was – $41.68
I paid a total of $8.05 after coupons and store discount
And I received a $5.00 stores credit so basically, I got it all for $3.05
My second one was at CVS
I LOVE CVS they always have great deals
2 Xtra Laundry detergent
3 Persil Laundry detergent
2 Gillette Fusion razor
2 Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream
1 Hershey Snack Mix
4 Colgate toothbrushes
2 Colgate toothpaste
“Sure Foundation”
Insecurity is probably the worst feeling in the world. It robs you of confidence, rest, and freedom. Just talking about the word floods my mind with so many memories. Being a little girl, afraid of the dark, peeking my eyes just above the covers to see if there really was a monster in my room. As a new kid at school, not knowing a soul, wondering if I would ever find a friend. Auditioning for a musical, nervous and afraid I would forget song lyrics. Picking an outfit for a date, hoping to impress and hold his interest. The day we purchased our first home, wondering if we were grown up enough to handle the responsibility. The way I felt the day we brought home our first baby and the overwhelming reality that we were responsible for his very life. Each of those moments all caused me to feel unsure, and creating a deep desire for something solid to stand on and keep me steady no matter what.
So often, I set my feet upon my circumstances. It’s easy to do because we naturally make agreements with what we can touch and see. For example: If our child has behavior problems in school, it would be easy to then label him a problem child or yourself a bad mom. If a dream falls apart, it would be natural to feel lost and lose sight of your identity. But we’re not called to live by human nature. We are called to walk by the Spirit, and in order to do that, we have to stand on a sure foundation. One that’s been tested and approved. One we know won’t ever be shaken by the quaking and shifting of life. If we stand on what we can see with human eyes, we will constantly shift with an ever changing world. That’s not a life anchored in Jesus. In fact, the bible calls that childish. We are called to grow up into Christ in all things. He is the security we are called to build our lives upon.
What are you standing on today? What are you building your life upon? When the world is afraid of the dark, hiding under the covers, you can be unshakable; shining like a beacon in the night. You can walk through uncertain days because He is your sure foundation.
So this is what the Sovereign Lordsays: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. Isaiah 28:16
Mothers are full of various traits that the adults and children of the world need. Often, mothers are nurturing, loving, kind, comforting and leaders. Mothers protect their children, or those close to them, from harm. Teaching either intentionally or by example is what mothers do best. The eyes of a child are always watching and observing and learning from the mothers around them. Every mother has a special blend of attributes that she can use to lead, guide and lift others.
No two mothers are alike
Moms have a tendency to compare themselves to seemingly “perfect” mothers and then proceed with negative self-talk about what a terrible mother they think they are. Stop it! The “seemingly perfect mom” has strengths, but she also has weaknesses. And you have weaknesses, but you also have many strengths that are perfect for your family or those you mother. Some moms have one child while others have several. Some homeschool and others use public schooling. Avoid the “mommy wars.” One is not better than the other; they are just different.
Mother’s Day is a day to be celebrated
Though we as moms may not like Mother’s Day all that much, the people in our lives want to show their love for us. Every day, moms selflessly cook, clean, nurture, lift, inspire and a myriad of other duties. Remember to enjoy and be grateful to those who want to celebrate YOU. Likewise, tell the women in your life how much they mean to you. There is nothing like witnessing the joy on the faces of a small child, a spouse or friends as they do something kind for you to show their love and appreciation. Be grateful and let them shower you with love this Mother’s Day.
Whether you are a mom with no children or many, an empty-nester or a new mother, a loving aunt or friend, Mother’s Day is for you. Your nurturing and caring ways qualify you as a mother. Mothering is a special gift designed to help and comfort others who need your strength. Regardless of how we mother, we are all doing our best with the circumstances and strengths we have. Though there are no perfect mothers, there are many great ones.
MY BEST FRIEND, MY MOM
Mom’s smiles can brighten any moment,
Mom’s hugs put joy in all our days,
Mom’s love will stay with us forever
and touch our lives in precious ways…
The values you’ve taught,
the care you’ve given,
and the wonderful love you’ve shown,
have enriched my life
in more ways than I can count.
I Love you Mom!
Today I grief the death of another childhood friend that passed this morning due to one of the most tragic cause of death this nation and generation has been facing. Something that’s been destroying our generation, drug overdose. This epidemic that you don’t see it’s a problem till it’s too late. Leaving us all with just the memory we all shared with her including her two beautiful children, E & D I know you guys will miss your mom forever. Her mom (G) Nothing will ever take this pain away. I hope God will comfort you. Comfort us all 😦 .
My heart is filled with sadness. We had so many talks and you told me so many times you could fight this. I know it was hard, I know you tried. May your soul now Rest In Peace. I will forever miss you. Miss the days we spent together since 5th grade. All those times at your house when your mom and your sister had to make us lunch after school. We had so much fun. After we grew up going out to eat and hanging out. It was always a pleasant time to be around you. Karaoke night at the Chinese place all of us together was a night to remember. I will never forget. 😦
Lindsay’s death was a tragedy, it really has been a tragic waste, and like the bitter pill that’s hard to swallow, it leaves an awful after taste. So I hope this message gets home, and her death hasn’t been in vain, because I’d hate anybody else, to have to go through all this, all again. You only get one chance on this earth, and I hope that line stays in someone’s mind, because the very real tragedy,is what happens to those that get left behind.
In Memory
We have all lost someone that we love today
One that we all wish
was never taken from us this way
But God thought it was their time to leave
Ans now this is the moment
For us their friends and family to grieve
We keep asking ourselves why
Why do the good die young?
Why don’t we ever get a warning
To when our day will come?
We were all just having birthdays and having so much fun
Tell us why you had to take them
I mean our lives have just begun
It hurts so much to think
That they are no longer here
When we keep seeing their face
Through each falling tear
Now knowing that their memory will never disappear
Although we keep pleading that this tragic ordeal
Is anything but real
We are demanding the pain we feel
Of our hearts breaking and tearing from the seams
To somehow just be one heart rendering bad dream
Though as we awaken and realize it is not
We can remember the good times we had with them
And forget about the times we all fought
There for please cherish all the memories
And never forget their laugh
Because we all have a piece of them within us
And that is how the love they had
For everyone will forever last
We hope that you knew
How many people truly cared about you
And that in your passing you have taught us
That we should always stand tall
And that we have to try to make the best of it all
Hopefully, through this tragedy, we all will wake up & see
That life can be short and taken from us so easily
You all truly will be missed by so many
We are grateful for knowing you
And lucky to have been part of your lives
We know that Heaven’s gates
Have been opened up for you
The Angel’s have given you your wings
So that you all may watch over us
And push us so we may strive to do better things
A poem by Elizabeth Mooney
This song is in your memory… Every time I hear it it will remind me of you 😦
You will forever be missed. Love always Your Friend.
Turning another year older, but in my heart, you will always be my little boy. I am so proud of the man you have become. I wish you continued success in the year ahead.
I wish you strength to face life’s challenges; Knowledge to achieve your desired successes; Hope to get back up when life knocks you down; Good family and friends to share your accomplishments with; New adventures to greet you at every turn; And love to fill your heart so big there is no room for negativity.
Know that I will always be by your side to support you, love you, and cheer you on. May this day, and all the days before you be filled with joy, peace, and prosperity.
8 things you should absolutely never, ever share on Facebook
While Facebook is a fun place to share and post, leave these things off of it.
For the most part, Facebook is a great tool. It allows us to stay in touch with friends, share information and ideas and even stay on top of the latest news stories. But Facebook has its share of cons as well. It can spread rumors, stir up trouble, and be a place where people with not-so-nice intentions lurk. With that in mind, here are eight things you should never share on Facebook.
1. Your relationship troubles
It is dangerous to post about fights you’ve had, things that bother you or even more serious news (like you are considering a divorce or separation) on Facebook. While it may be your way of reaching out for support and friendship, it can be very damaging. Your friends are only seeing your side of the story, and most importantly, they miss the make-up story afterward. They do not get to go through the forgiveness/apology side of the story, and may not understand why you are still with someone who you were so upset with just hours before.
It can also really hurt your significant other when they see what you said about them on social media. Would you want them saying something similar about you? Keep your private life private. We all have flaws, and we make mistakes. But that doesn’t mean our mistakes have to be told to the world via Facebook. Remember, once it is put out there, it cannot be taken back.
2. Naked baby photos
While naked baby photos can be super innocent and adorable, they are not something that should be shared on Facebook. There are too many people out there with bad intentions, and they can use your photos for not-so-innocent things. If you do put photos of your little ones taking a bath or something else totally cute while naked, there are some stickers you can use to cover up any parts that may be showing. Remember to always use caution when posting these types of photos.
3. Embarrassing stories about someone else
If you want to share something embarrassing that happened to you, go for it! The more embarrassing, the better. But when it comes to saying something embarrassing about someone else, whether it be your spouse, friends or children, it’s best not to, unless they give you their permission. While it may be a funny story, they may not be comfortable with you sharing it. They may not want the Facebook world to know about their mishap or mistake.
When it comes to posting embarrassing stories about your own kids, try to see into the future. While it may be funny now, years from now, when they are teenagers or adults, they may not want their friends pulling up the story about how they wet their pants in the middle of a Wal-Mart. Consider sharing the stories on your own personal private blog instead, or with your close friends verbally; don’t put it on Facebook.
4. Your address/personal information
I am always surprised when I see someone post a picture of their new driver’s license, or when they leave their phone number in a comments thread. Anyone can access that information, and now they know where you live and how to reach you. It may seem a little paranoid or overly cautious, but giving out your personal information on a Facebook thread may come back to haunt you later.
5. Put-downs
Our world is full of negativity; why add to it? If you are upset about what someone named their baby, or what color a neighbor painted their house, do you really think posting your opinion on Facebook is going to help the situation? It only spreads more negativity and hatred. People really do read those comments — even the person they are about, and they can really hurt. You may think it is your place to give your opinion, but unless you were asked for it, it’s not. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
6. Gross photos
Some people think injury photos or that picture of the mold growing on your bread is totally cool. But for others, it is really gross and may cause negative side-effects, like throwing up or even fainting. Sure, it’s your photo and your Facebook account, but photos come up automatically on someone else’s feed, and they may not have the chance to scroll by without seeing it.
7. Something you don’t want everyone to see
If you really hate your job, or lied about being sick when you were really at a concert, it probably is not a good idea to post about it on Facebook. It will come back to bite you. Several jobs have been lost over people posting about how much they hate their boss or really dislike going to work. And whoever you lied to will see the 67 photos you posted of the great time you had when they thought you were home sick in bed. Even if you hide your posts from someone, there is always a chance they might see it.
8. Someone else’s news
There are things that people may not want put on Facebook; like the fact that they are pregnant, moving, getting married or other big news. If you want to congratulate someone, send them a private message. Unless they have made a huge announcement, changed their profile picture to reflect their news and made it very clear they are willing to talk about it on social media, do not post about it. It is their news to share, not yours. Who knows — they may not be posting about it for a reason that you do not know about. Respect that.
While these posts may seem innocent, they can really hurt you or someone else. Use caution when posting online — think before you share.
Megan Shauri
Megan Shauri graduated with a bachelors in anthropology and a masters in psychology. She is a mother of twins. Website:Meganshauri@gmail.com
These are just a few of my favorites of 2010 as a lover of the photography profession I got the privilege to experience what it was like to photograph a bride at her most special day and do a Photoshoot of a this beautiful little girl that her natural was what made her perfect. My little cousins on her first birthday. Being natural on her porch. And of course with a camera in my hand I always got to experience, capture and register my boys most silly special moments.
” Photography can only represent the present. Once photographed, the subject becomes part of the past.”
” Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.”
“Photography is about capturing souls not smiles. ”
” When people ask me what type of equipment I use —I tell them My Eyes. “
Marriage: The Final Frontier
What is it about human nature? Our ability to appreciate the majestic is only rivaled by one thing: our ability to grow bored with it.
In 1961, President John Kennedy challenged the United States to put a man on the moon. Throughout that decade, the American public had an insatiable appetite for space flight. The media covered nearly every detail of NASA’s efforts, and the astronauts became national heroes. The euphoria culminated in 1969 when Neil Armstrong’s crew landed on the moon, an event witnessed by an estimated half a billion people.
But, amazingly, less than a year later, public interest in moon landings had all but evaporated. Imagine that: A feat as incredible as humans walking on the surface of the moon had become little more than a footnote on the nightly news.
It really shouldn’t surprise us. It’s human nature to lose interest in things that ought to inspire us. Like marriage. A man and a woman stand at an altar, and it seems impossible that their passion could ever fade. Yet, fast forward to the not-too-distant-future, and in all too many cases their life together has begun to drift toward the mundane.
It’s natural. But it’s all the more reason why couples must fight this tendency. Make time in your day to connect with one another. Get a babysitter and do something special. Use your imagination, but whatever you do, be proactive about reviving the fire that God used to draw you to your spouse in the first place.
“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.”
Song of Solomon 8:6-7 NIV
For a daily dose of encouragement and perspective, check out Jim Daly
6 things you should never say to someone with depression
Chances are, you know someone struggling with depression. If you want to help instead of hurting, avoid these six common mistakes.
Depression is a serious disease that affects over 120 million people worldwide. You may notice your spouse or child has a decreased mood and diminished energy. Relatives or friends may experience bouts of depression after losing loved ones or employment, going through health crisis or going through divorce.
Long-term clinical depression, or Major Depressive Disorder, is a persistent depressive state rooted in many factors — including chemical imbalances in the brain — that lasts at least, two weeks. It can have an immense negative impact on a loved one’s work, family life, sleep, eating habits and physical health. So, when you come across a friend, relative or coworker with depression, make sure you don’t make these six common but insensitive statements:
1. “Get over it”
Depression is a serious matter that is not always easily dealt with. Getting professional treatment in a number of modalities, including prescription medication, therapy and even alternative treatments can help, but saying this won’t make anything better.
2. “It’s not that bad”
You don’t know how bad it is to them. The event that triggered the depression may not seem significant on the surface, but depression could be doing major damage on the inside once it has taken root. Try not to undermine or minimize how someone feels if you can’t understand what she’s going through.
3. “You’re weak”
Illness is not weakness. And projecting an ableist attitude onto someone who is suffering shows a lack of compassion and understanding that only makes you appear weak in character. Although a person may feel weak due to his ailment, calling him so will not give him strength.
4. “Stop whining”
Shaming a person with a psychological disorder is cruel and can cause further damage. Yes, constantly reinforcing the feelings he wants to rid himself of seems illogical and can be irritating, but it comes from a feeling of helplessness. As humans, we tend to express what we feel the most. If he were happy, he would be expressing that instead.
5. “I got over it”
What works for you will not work for everyone. Another’s experience with depression or its inciting events may be quite different from yours. Everyone has his own predispositions, chemical makeup and personal history, making for a unique treatment and healing plan. Plus, getting over something doesn’t mean you got through it. You may have put something behind you, but if it’s not entirely resolved, it could resurface and rear its ugly head again.
6. “You’ll be fine”
Be careful using these words. It can appear dismissive, uncaring or cold if said in the wrong way. Keep eye contact, smile kindly, and if you are close enough with the person, reach out and give him a warm hug and firm pat on the shoulder or back when saying this. If you believe he will get through this, let him know you mean it.
Remember to keep your feelings about life and all of its ups and downs in perspective when addressing someone with depression. Even if you see a simple solution, a depressed person may see hopelessness and nothing in her future. Keep communication open and the bonds strong in your spiritual and biological family. This is the time your loved one needs you the most.
Georgia D. Lee seeks to empower, inspire, enrich and educate anyone with an open mind, heart and spirit through her most treasured medium – black and white!
Thinking Out Cloud 