Superbowl Snacks Coupons

Superbowl Snacks - So You Can Keep the Fans Happy! 

• $0.55 off Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners - for the Lil Smokies (who doesn't love their little-smokie-yummy-goodness?
• Buy 2 Large DIGIORNO Pizzas, Get any ONE free - When you can't wait for delivery, have something close to delivery--right in YOUR freezer!
• $1.00 off any ONE (1) Newman's Own Frozen Pizza - "HELLO N e w m a n !!!! I like you better as a pizza!"
• $1.00 off Two (2) DOVE Chocolate Large Bars - Oh, chocolate, how I love thee!
• $1.00 off the purchase of any Jif Hazelnut Spread - If you love Hazelnut, this spread is just the ticket--for bread, crackers, etc.
• $0.50 off 2 cans of Swanson Chunk Chicken Breast - Chicken goes well with anything... Hot dishes?
• $1.00 off two Johnsonville Sausage products - Great for tailgating on Super Bowl Sunday...
• $1.00 off any TWO Keebler Crackers - The elves know what they're doing!
• $1.00 off LLOYD'S Barbeque product - If you can't make it out to get barbecue on Super Bowl Sunday, then bring it home...
• $0.55 off 2 HORMEL Chili products - It's one way to make your party end with a bang...
• $1.00 off 2 HORMEL Pepperoni packages - Great topping on a super pizza on a Super Sunday!
• $3.00 off 1 HORMEL Party Tray - Where the Super Bowl party begins!

Clean-up for the Super Bowl

• $1.00 off 14-oz. Spot Shot carpet stain remover - For the end of your Super Bowl party mayhem!
• $1.00 off one Sparkle Towel 6 big rolls or larger - Napkins, for clean-up, or even as art supplies (to keep the kids distracted).
• $1.00 off TWO 3 Big Roll Brawny Paper Towels - Not just for that Super Bowl Sunday wing face!! For the Super Bowl Sunday clean-up!
• $2.00 off any Glade Expressions Starter Kit

Pre- (and Post-) Game Activities - When the Super Bowl is a Blow-Out and Your Party is a Bomber... Add some fun!

• $5.00 off one TABOO or one PICTIONARY Game
• $4.00 off any one SCRABBLE Game
• $4.00 off any one JENGA Game

Thespian Update

Last week I posted about mija going on an audition for a local children's performance theater.

We assumed she didn't get a part since we never received a call from them.

Then we lost our internet and phone.

Apparently, that's when they started trying to contact us!

She got a part in Charlotte's Web!

She's the second spider and has about 6 lines! 

The second spider is at the end of the play. It's one of Charlotte's baby spiders.

So, we have a few practices a week and SIX performances spread over the first two weekends of March.

Anyone else do youth theater?

Helping Hands at Home--EE Kindle Book

This month for Gabby Moms, I was able to review Mrs. Lorrie Flem's newest Kindle book Helping Hands at Home. 

Before you turn off because I wrote the word "Kindle," I just wanted to remind you that you do not have to have a Kindle to read a Kindle book. I have the Kindle app on my phone and have downloaded the Kindle app on my laptop. The apps are free. Just go to Free Kindle Reading Apps.

Now, back to the book!

Like usual, Lorrie's practicality shines through as she takes us step-by-step. I need this for ME.

I was raised by my grandparents. While they loved me   fully, they were perfectionists which meant that I couldn't do things correctly. 


I couldn't put the groceries in the grocery cart (or buggy for those of you in the South) because I wouldn't put them in the right place. 

I could only clean the hubcaps on the car because I might smudge the car.

I wasn't expected to clean the bathroom or the kitchen because I wouldn't do it right, and my grandmother would just have to do it again. At least that was what I was told. 

It made life much harder for me as a teen. My grandparents became ill, and I was expected to take over the household duties that I was never taught to do. It's remained a challenge to me to this day. 

All this left me determined not to have mija be in the same shape. She's expected to help around the house and even do certain things by herself. 

But there has been a challenge. Because I was never taught to do things, I haven't ever really considered how to TEACH mija how to clean things. I just expected her to pick things up as we went along. 

That is where Lorrie's book Helping Hands at Home has come in handy. It showed me step-by-step how to teach her to clean the bathroom and the kitchen.

It is definitely a work in progress for both her and me, but it's nice to have something as simple as this Kindle book to go back to. I really appreciate the process Lorrie teaches to take a chore from them watching you do it to you checking on their final work.

Right now, the Kindle book is only $0.99! You can't bet that.

Speaking of a great deal, Eternal Encouragement magazine has not only gone digital, it's FREE!! Just go HERE to sign up for your free digital subscription.

I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Personalized Valentine Gift Deals

Just in time for Valentine gifts, York Photo is offering some great deals. For all the deals, you must be a new customer. The deals expire 2/28/13.


You can get this photo tote AND 40 free prints for only $2 plus $3.99 shipping. Use the code TOTELOVE.


How about covering them in love with a fleece blanket? And don't forget the 40 free prints, too. All for $20 plus $6.99 shipping. Use the code CUDDLES.


Put your mug on a mug! Plus 40 free prints. All for only $1 plus $5.99 shipping. Use the code 1MUG. 

Blame shifting--From the Bible to the Babe

Blame shifting.

 Literally, the oldest excuse used for not taking responsibility for our actions.

Remember in Genesis 3?
"Lord, it was the woman you gave me?"

Wow, that shifted the blame twice! The woman and God who gave him the woman. 

Eve just blamed the serpent.

Blame shifting has been the homework of the past week. First, in Sunday School we were given the assignment not to partake is certain kinds of speech among which was blame shifting. Then in my biblical counseling class, we had a case study to do in which the couple did major blame shifting.

But nothing beat my in home demonstration of blame shifting.

On Thursday morning, we lost our home phone, internet, and cable due to not being able to pay. Mija was still asleep when I left for a Bible study, so she didn't know.

I came home to find a sign "We hate the cable company" and her marching around the house chanting the same.

Regardless of how many times my hubby and I explained to her that it was not the cable company's fault, she wouldn't accept it. We explained that because of daddy's unemployment, we just were not able to pay for everything (or was that blame shifting, too?). 

It is innate, I tell you. Mija just come up with blaming the cable company on her own.

Lord, it's the cable company you gave me.


Galatians 6:3-5  
For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. 

Last chance for Cepacol coupon

Friday Funny--Stuff Christian Moms Say

Lord, I Give You This Day---devotional review

I was a little surprised when I received Lord, I Give You This Day. I was thinking about all the great Bible studies Kay Arthur does in her "Lord" series, so opening the package to find a devotional was interesting. I did find out, however, that the devotions in this book are drawn from her "Lord" Bible studies hence the name.

Before I continue my review I want to add a caveat about devotionals. Hebrews 5:14 assures us that mature believers need the meat of the Word. So, where do devotionals fall into the picture? I liken most devotionals as vitamins; you get some nutrients but not everything you need. If your sole diet is only supplements, you will be weak and anemic. If your sole spiritual diet are only devotionals, the same will be true of your spiritual health.


Now on specifically to Lord, I Give You This Day.

I was impressed with Kay Arthur's ability to give some meat in these one page devotionals. I think it is because each piece is focused more on confronting rather than comforting. Educating more than merely encouraging. Each day, I've been challenged by Arthur in my Christian walk. 

You know you might get your toes stepped on when a devotional starts like...

Are you considering compromise in some area of you life?
or
Precious one, do you realize that the very blessings of the Lord can seduce our affections away from the Giver...?
or
Will you pause for a moment and think with me about the standards of our day?

Yes, definitely more depth than the "Jesus loves you" or "Be good today" that you get with many devotionals.

That being said, I recommend this devotional if you want to use one. It goes deeper than the general devotional, yet remains in easy to read chunks. 

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Youth Theater---giving it a try again

You know how much mija enjoys ballet.

And God really blessed in order for her to be able to continue in the fall and do The Nutcracker, but because of my husband's continued unemployment, we decided to pull her out. We hope she doesn't need to be out too long, but she understands.

So, I received an email reminding me about auditions for a children's performing theater. 

Mija had performed in a play with them 3 years ago entitled, "The Marvelous Land of Oz." She was a munchkin.

She's grown so much in three years!

Anyway, hubby and I decided that being in "Charlotte's Web" through a virtually free children's theater program might be a good replacement for ballet for a few months.

So, Saturday we went to the auditions. Since she's 8 years old now, she was supposed to have a 1-2 minute monologue. I found the cute monologue about the tooth fairy. Of course, as soon as we left I started getting questions about when we would know something.

Well, she didn't get a part. Not surprising when over 70 kids audition for a play with only about 40 parts. It's okay. It was still a great practice on how to audition and having her first experience with a monologue.

Any other thespians out there?

Creating Contentment Online Seminar--Tues., Jan. 29

I've attending several live and online seminars with Lorrie Flem, and I'm looking forward to this newest one.

This one is obviously going to be about contentment. We often think things or circumstances are required to be content. Mrs. Flem is going to teach us how to learn how to be consistently content in our daily lives.

Now, this is a little different then some of her recent online tele-conferences.

For this seminar, you need a ticket which only costs $3. The benefit of the ticket is that you don't necessarily have to be at the seminar to benefit! The $3 ticket will give you access to the slides, verses, quotes, and video of the seminar, so you can access it at your convenience!

The actual seminar will be next Tuesday, January 29 at 1 PM Pacific. That's 3 PM Central which is my time.

So make sure to get your ticket, and let's create come contentment!

Blame it on Little House on the Prairie--HEF Blog

It's my day to post over had Home Educating Family. No one guessed what it was about from the title yesterday. Check it out here.

Friday Funny--Public School, Ritalin, Television, Oh, my!

The K5 Kids--Contemporary Christian for Kids

Are you concerned about the type of music your children are listening to? Do you want to keep your kids kids and not force them into the teen world too soon?

These have been concerns of mine. Then a few months ago, I came across The K5 Kids. The first thing I saw was a video. I was intrigued. Here watch for yourself!

I received Volumes I and II. Volume I has TobyMac songs while Volume II has Newsboy songs. In addition, each CD has bonus songs on it.

First, I'll get on my soapbox about CCM. A lot of it is shallow and some of it is doctrinally wrong. So, I'm very picky about about what is considered contemporary Christian music.

All that being said, I found the music choices acceptable. Maybe not all doctrinal powerhouses, but nothing wrong. 

What I do like about The K5 Kids is the fact that it is children's voices singing the songs. My daughter relates much more when she hears children singing it. She puts it in her portable CD play, put her headphones and walk around the house listening while she doing other things. (Visions of a future teenager haunt my mind.)

Speaking of mija, here is what she had to say about The K5 Kids.

Why do I like K5 Kids? I think they're cool. It can help  you have a better chance of becoming a Christian. If you're a Christian, it helps you learn more about God. I love K5 Kids.

(Isn't that a pretty nice paragraph?)

Now, when you go to the site to purchase them, there are choices to make. You can select the whole album for immediate download, a physical CD or you can even purchase the individual songs. If that weren't enough, you can even purchase lyric videos like the one above.

It's a little late for me to recommend the CD for stocking stuffers, but don't forget, Valentine's Day is coming up. They could be a great way to encourage LOVE for the Lord. Or what about in an Easter basket? Songs to remind them about the risen Savior.

I received free copies of the CDs in exchange for my honest review.

Pat Robertson---puleeze stop embarrassing yourself and Christianity

I have stayed silent long enough. Please, society, ignore Pat Robertson.

There was a time, while I disagreed with him on some theological issues, he did state some truth when it comes to society and the United States. Now, I just feel embarrassed for his poor co-host having to deal graciously with the stuff coming out of his mouth.

Here's just three of the ridiculous responses he's given in the last six months alone.

Don't adopt...


Denies a young earth...


And now blames unkempt women for marriage problems...


Where is he getting this stuff? Definitely not from the Bible. 

But what do I know? I'm a slovenly, unkempt woman! (But at least I put a bra on today.)

Free Science Class on Magnetism

Aurora Lipper of Super-Charged Science is doing it again. It's time for her monthly free online tele-class!

This time the topic is...

This class is Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 12 Noon Pacific time. That's 2 PM my time which is Central.

All it takes to register is your email address.
Click HERE and sign up. 

Friday Funny--Periodic Table

Continuing Education for Mom

I taught in the classroom for several years before coming to motherhood and home education. There was one thing I learned in the classroom; a good teacher never stops learning.

When I was teaching in the classroom, I finally figured out the difference between a direct object and an indirect object.

I learned how to cast out nines to check math problems.

I learned I could make all the craft projects in the world and just send them home. I didn't have to figure out where to store or keep them!

Yes, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon has moved with us twice!

Now that I home educate, I have continued my education.

I've learned that there is a caterpillar that lives for 14 years!

I learned that what I've been calling a turkey's wattle is actually it's snood! I'm so embarrassed when I think of all the students who learned this incorrectly because of me.



You would think I would know my shapes by now, but today I continued to learn.

I knew a rhombus...

and I knew diamonds...

But I never realized that diamonds are actually rhombi! That change in orientation was enough to make me think it was two different shapes. 

So, what have you been learning at home lately?
  

Mail to the Chief---National Handwriting Day

There are two events coming up which are combining into one cool event for students.

The presidential inauguration is Sunday, January 20 while National Handwriting Day is Wednesday, January 23. While you may not consider these two events to be of equal weight, when they are combined, you come up with...

Handwriting Without Tears developed Mail to the Chief. You use your best handwriting--not texting or typing--to write a letter to the incoming (this time returning) president to offer him advice.

Even if you do not agree with the president, the office is worthy of respect, and the Bible encourages us to "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way" (I Timothy 2:1-2). 

If you go to Mail to the Chief, you will see HWT has printable packets based on age or use your own own ideas. The only requirement is that it be handwritten. They request you mail it to them by January 15, 2013.


I did this with our church's homeschool group yesterday. I provided some pictures to color for the little ones, and the letter forms from HWT for the older ones.

First I read a couple of books. 
I read:

 and I read parts of 

It worked out really well.

Obviously, an Angry Gorilla

We wrote the letters. The variety of ability and topics were so fun. We had several hoping the president had a good Christmas, mentioning they would pray for him, and saying they enjoyed playing basketball, too. A couple mentioned his need for Jesus! Out of the mouths of babes!

The we reviewed some of the presidents using a game. I used Angry Gorilla. They loved Angry Gorilla and it really worked well for the age spanse

Come back later for more ideas about National Handwriting Day specifically.

Martin Luther had a Wife---and so did many other religious leaders!

If you have been around my blog at all, you know my affinity for Martin Luther and his wife, Katherine Von Bora. It really should not come as surprise then that I have been reading a book entitled Martin Luther Had a Wife.

This book has several small chapters describing the lives and marriages of several historical men of the faith including:

• Martin and Katie Luther
• John and Molly Wesley
• Jonathan and Sarah Edwards
• Dwight and Emma Moody
• William and Catherine Booth

One nice thing about this little book is that it does not sugar-coat the people or their marriages. It is not The National Enquirer-styled writing, but instead shares the good and the bad of the individuals and their marriages in a gracious way. It makes it nice to realize that these were real people and marriages just like ours. The whole "better and for worse, richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health" gamut! 

I also really enjoy history, so this is a great book about that, but it is told in a story format, so those who may not appreciate history should not get turned off. In fact, you will learn a little history without realizing it! For instance, you may have put a donation in a red kettle this past month, but do you know who started the Salvation Army? What about the Great Awakenings in the United States?  It is cool to learn about these things through the lives of these men and women.

Did I mention it was short?  The whole book is only 160 pages with five chapters. Nice small dosages of reading.

So, I recommend this encouraging and entertaining book. Encouraging because it shows these individuals as no different than us. Entertaining because of it's storytelling format. A great marriage and history lesson all in one.