tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10589269486439498282024-03-18T21:07:27.617-07:00This Blessed LifeJessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.comBlogger373125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-48503967140856331982016-02-17T17:29:00.000-08:002016-02-18T16:07:27.398-08:00Goodwill and Target Clearance Finds {February Edition}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On President's Day, most of the local Goodwills in this area do a 50% off sale. I bundled up the kids bright and early and headed up there Monday morning! Few things can motivate this night owl to wake up early like a Goodwill sale! Or a yard sale...or a church sale...or an estate sale....you get the idea. Haha!</div>
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I like this Goodwill better than the one nearer to my house because the prices are more reasonable. The one closer to me seems to forget that...oh, I don't know...everything there is DONATED and have been charging ridiculous prices the last few years! (Like putting $12.99 on an out-dated shirt from Express circa 1997...wish I was kidding but they do stuff like that all the time!) </div>
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This new (to me) store is overall much more reasonable. I had both kids with me so I didn't get to look very well in the clothing sections like I wanted, because I had to still go grocery shopping afterward and I didn't want to test their patience. Side note: I did bring two mini packs of M&Ms for them which definitely helped their motivation levels. ;) </div>
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I found a cute Starbucks mug, a sweet little ring dish with a bird on it, a little ceramic bird, and a little pumpkin...all for 50 cents each! </div>
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A glass jar (I have bigger versions of this and I love them), a mug that has become my new favorite in the last two days (lol), and a 2-cup Pyrex glass storage container - mug and jar were $1 each, and the Pyrex was only 50 cents! (Yay!) </div>
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This Pyrex "fridgie" has seen waaaaay better days but for $3 I decided to risk it and see if I could clean up the scratches and the damage. I haven't tried yet but I'm going to see if I can! If nothing else, the lids are hard to find and this one is in great shape with no chips or cracks...I'll use it on my other fridgies for sure! </div>
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A clear locking container for Olivia's <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/2016/02/easy-and-diy-valentines-decor-and-peppa.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">Peppa Pig</span></a> toys, and a unopened package of rubber duckies (my kids are always thrilled with new bath toys!) - both $1 each.</div>
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I was sooo excited to find Crocs for Luke for only TWO DOLLARS, and rain boots for three dollars!!! The sneakers for Livi were only $1.50. The rain boots and sneakers aren't my favorite patterns by any means, but they are just for play outside and they make my kids smile so it's a win-win. :)</div>
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And lastly, a few books for the kids - the "Look and Find" was $1, as was the collection of early readers, and the Olivia book - because of course we collect Olivia books here!!! ;). </div>
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The last few pictures are a little dark because I forgot to re-take them all this morning when I took the other pics! Haha! </div>
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But I also found this pair of Gap "boyfriend" jeans for only $3.50 - when you have an apple shape like me it is nearly impossible to find a pair of jeans that fit your body - seriously, it's like a needle in a haystack. So I was really excited to find some that can fit and for so cheap!! This picture is what I like to call "texting your sister in the middle of Goodwill to see if you can wear boyfriend jeans with flats because you have no idea how to style them..." Hahaha!</div>
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Yesterday I stopped at Target before visiting a friend because she has one 10 minutes from her that is sooo much nicer than the one closer to me! (Why are all the stores near me apparently so junky?? Haha!) Anyway I had to pop in because I was dying to see what they had for Valentine's clearance and mostly hoping I could get my hands on one of the cute,cute Pyrex containers they released this year! </div>
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And YAY they had a few!! So this pink one just HAD to come home with me for $2.50:</div>
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I also snagged some super cheap little Easter basket fillers! The coloring packs and the little water bottle were only 50 cents each, and the rest varied from $1 - $1.99 for the Lego kit. And yes this was taken on my bed because I was excitedly texting my friend Amber about the sale yesterday but I couldn't let the kids see what I was doing! LOL!!<br />
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I also snagged this cute bucket, which is now in my laundry room, and this sweet little polka dot box for Olivia's room for her little jewelry collection (both for $1.50 as well!). Again, sorry about the crooked, blurry picture! ;) </div>
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Amber went today to see what she could find, and that same store was down to 70%!! So I'm going to call in two days and see if they hit 90% and then I might take a ride back up. ;) <br />
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So yes, lots of fun little finds this week! :) </div>
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P.S. I posted this on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/This-Blessed-Life-365817853424/"><span style="color: #e06666;">my Facebook page </span></a>a few days ago (if you're not following me there, you're missing out! ;)) but my dear friend Amber <span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="http://simpleandthrifty.org/"><span style="color: #e06666;">started a blog recently</span></a> </span>and you should definitely pay her a visit! She posts about her DIY projects, her grocery deals and menu plans, and life with a kiddo with Down Syndrome. You should definitely pay her a visit! :) </div>
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Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com205tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-25412594790892288972016-02-11T11:35:00.000-08:002016-02-11T11:35:44.524-08:00Easy (and DIY) Valentine's Decor - and a Peppa Pig Party!<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi everyone! I'm back with some pictures to share with you - Olivia turned 3 (how did that happen already?!) in January and we celebrated with friends and family this past Saturday. (For the record, we did have gifts and cake on her actual birthday and then we took a family day to go to a children's museum - we just waited to celebrate with friends and family since we were doing a construction project in the house - more on that another time! - and we wanted the house to be cleaned back up first.) We got hit with a huge snowstorm on Friday, but thankfully everyone was still able to make it here on Saturday to celebrate with us! You have to love New England - we all just shovel out and keep on truckin'! ;) </div>
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I've had our Valentine's decor up for a while so it just worked out well that Peppa Pig colors are pink and red - it all worked, I think, as decorations! My favorite CHEAP way to decorate for Valentine's day (and for lots of holidays, really!) is to use PAPER! Yup, cheap scrapbook paper is so affordable but can be used to really perk up a space when you don't have money for much else. And if you fold it carefully, you can just put it in a folder and store it away safely each year! </div>
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I have a heart punch I got a few years ago 50% off at Michael's...grab some scrapbook paper you like, and some baker's twine (even thread would work if you can't afford the twine!) and tape the hearts to the twine. Voila! Instant garland that costs next to nothing. ;) </div>
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It's still hard to find a lot of Peppa Pig stuff since it's a British show and hasn't "exploded" over here quite yet. Party City did have a small section of it - hooray! - but it was mostly blue and yellow to keep it gender-neutral and I didn't want to decorate much with that. I did grab a few supplies...Livi and I went out together to buy the stuff for her party and she was in love with all of it, naturally. ;) To keep it cheap I went mostly with pink and red - (Peppa is a pink pig and she wears a red dress) so I was able to just pick up plain pink and red balloons, streamers, tablecloths, and plates. They are mostly from Walmart - their party stuff is super cheap!</div>
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I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of the food!! I always forget to take pics of something at a party and this was it this time. LOL I kept it SUPER simple and it was soooo nice not to stress about food prep! We ordered huge sheet pizzas from a local grocery store, and I just set out a variety of chips, dip, veggies, hummus, salsa, and guac. Besides cutting up the veggies and making up some homemade ranch dip - oh, and making coffee! haha - everything else was pre-made. It was so, so nice! I highly recommend it! ;) </div>
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I did make the cake though! (Well...I should clarify that Pillsbury and I made the cake - I just happened to decorate the top! LOL) I copied a picture straight from Pinterest, so thank you to the genius person that uploaded this originally!! I showed my mom the original picture, and it was cut out like the shape of Peppa's head. She told me to keep it simple and just frost the top instead of worrying about cutting it out and trying to frost the sides. It was a great idea and I'm glad I did it this way instead!</div>
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We ate right when everyone came and then we did a little craft. Our house is small and since the kids couldn't go outside in the snow I wanted them to have an activity to do. I wracked my brain for an affordable idea that would work well for both boys and girls. Finally I decided on homemade magnets! I found a bunch of thin wooden shapes at Michael's for like 29 cents each and then got two packs of heavy-duty magnets. I super-glued the magnets and set out acrylic paints (I had most of them but I picked up a few more colors at Walmart) in old muffin tins I had that we use for painting. Each kid got to pick two (this was just some of the choices below) and it was fun to see their creativity! </div>
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I know my kids love to display their artwork so I thought it would be a cute way for them to show their own artwork on their fridge at home. They seemed to all have fun! And it was a relatively cheap craft, too! Yay! :) </div>
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After the magnets we had cake and presents and then everyone stayed and played for a while. It was such a wonderful party! We had so much fun and we just felt so grateful for all the people that love our girl. :) </div>
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The birthday girl had a GREAT time! I found her shirt on clearance at The Children's Place for just a few dollars, she got new white leggings from Walmart, the Peppa headband from Party City, and the pink tutu she wore for her first birthday photo shoot and it still fits! Haha! She is petite in the waist that's for sure! LOL</div>
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For favors I was again trying to think of something that would be useful to the kids and potentially their parents. ;) I was able to find these paints on clearance at Walmart for only 97 cents each!! I got a 12-pack of mini Hershey's bars and then just wrapped scrapbook paper around the paint and then again around the candy. </div>
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I wrote each kiddo's name on the card and for the girls I tied on 3 jelly bracelets with baker's twine. The jelly bracelets were Target Valentine's clearance a year ago! They came in a big bag and I was saving them for her next party! ;) There were 3 boys at the party so they got to take a sticky "bug" toy home too. </div>
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I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend! I don't think we are going on a date on Sunday, but hopefully sometime later this month! We will, however, be shopping for a new microwave since ours died after a recent power outage. #joysofadulthood</div>
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I found these cute felt envelopes at Target and I will be putting a few treats in them for my kiddos to open on Sunday! (And yes, I had to take this picture on my bed because I have to keep them hidden in my room. lol) </div>
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Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! :) </div>
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xoxo</div>
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Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-1502547397728230842015-12-16T12:31:00.001-08:002015-12-16T14:03:40.405-08:00Thrifting, Fun Finds, and a DIY Holiday Ornament<br />
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Good gracious it's been a month since I've been here! Last time I blogged I was actually in Nashville visiting my sister for the first time EVER at her house - we had a wonderful time and I plan to blog about Nashville soon for sure! But I came home and got swept up in Thanksgiving, my birthday, and general holiday activities. </div>
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So today I have a random mix of things for you. ;) </div>
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<b>-T H R I F T I N G - </b></div>
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With a lot of (boring and necessary) house repairs happening lately, and extra medical bills than last year, I really haven't had the extra funds to go thrifting much this year. It's such a fun hobby for me but I don't always have the luxury of doing it when money gets a little tighter. However, every year on Black Friday, my parents, siblings and I go shopping at Goodwill and then have breakfast at a local diner. Chris always stays home with the kids (since Goodwill opens at 7 am!) and it's always such a fun morning. I was so happy to be able to get out and do it again this year! </div>
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Some wonderful soul decided to mark the children's books at mostly $1 each (usually they're almost $3! Insane.) so all of these books except the Dictionary were only 50 cents! (The Dictionary was $1). The ones on the left we will use for homeschooling and as Luke gets older. I am a huge sucker for seasonal books and am helpless to say no. ;) </div>
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I also got several Magic School Bus books, some space books, and a Bible for Luke for Christmas - but I didn't want to risk him seeing them out for me to take the picture. </div>
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I also got these adorable Adirondack chairs for the kids for only $1 each! I'm so excited for them to use them next summer by our campfire outside. And I still haven't wiped them down or taken the stickers off! #classy lol</div>
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A fun Christmas shirt for Luke, a great Gymboree puffer vest for him, and the CUTEST sailor dress for Liv in her size that I could not pass up! All just a few dollars each. </div>
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The SOLE thing I bought for myself was the vintage chipped Santa mug - for a quarter! I'm basically positive it is covered in chipped lead paint so it is a fun decoration only, don't worry. ;) </div>
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Side note: I am now obsessed with pom-pom garlands. They're the easiest thing ever! Buy pom-poms at a craft store, string a needle with thread and push them through - they're so soft it's ridiculously easy and it doesn't hurt your fingers at all. They're just so darn cheerful. :) </div>
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<b>- F U N F I N D S - </b></div>
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If you've been to my house you know my slight obsession with elephants - it's like a little game to see how many mini ones you can spot around my home! ;) I was at Marshall's last night and I had birthday money and I simply had to take this Cynthia Rowley apron home with me! It was only $9.99 and I'm in love with it! Lol! I use my aprons several times a week since I seem to be perpetually baking or cooking and it puts such a smile on my face. </div>
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I also found this pretty gold mercury-glass ornament for only $1.99 at Home Goods. I tucked it in to my Willow Tree Nativity set display, and I think it looks so pretty there! </div>
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I also was so excited last night to find this dress!! I needed something to wear for our church choir concert on Sunday - something classy but not too flashy. This Ann Taylor dress was at Marshall's on clearance for $15.00 - the Ann Taylor tag says $139!! (Of course that's clearly insane.) But I was so happy to find a modest dress that would work for the concert and still would be somewhat cute. ;) </div>
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<b>-D I Y O R N A M E N T C R A F T -</b></div>
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Lastly, I wanted to share a SUPER easy and CHEAP craft you can do with your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews...whoever. ;) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEoCYDG680Pv2IBmI7oohPZEj3f1qtScozfYz4YCpITQ2ec613ENImfcG1-d7GK_erbz8Hk2V78BnlS1PufK-g6WV5KYtit6HZAxhEI28w6F2Aj-wuChxcs1S3bcXwagWKR1gsAar5lo/s1600/DIYReindeerOrnament1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEoCYDG680Pv2IBmI7oohPZEj3f1qtScozfYz4YCpITQ2ec613ENImfcG1-d7GK_erbz8Hk2V78BnlS1PufK-g6WV5KYtit6HZAxhEI28w6F2Aj-wuChxcs1S3bcXwagWKR1gsAar5lo/s400/DIYReindeerOrnament1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Walmart sells these mini canvases for a dollar each (actually maybe they are two for a dollar? My memory is failing me now since I bought them months ago). So grab some brown paint or a brown ink pad and get your kiddos to make a thumbprint for you, then add easy antlers and some ears with a skinny permanent or craft marker....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9tQKNw_4baAwdJu3C0vlq9onuSMTgnf3nYFCivMjGL7l1ZjMi5AvJryXZGm4x5foCXIl8LlAGPqcgMWXVIwuaWVsadYotVPbO93UszSB4zkgHuZXIlYdotlkHbkcfswwLXYVnH6mULc/s1600/DIYReindeerOrnament5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9tQKNw_4baAwdJu3C0vlq9onuSMTgnf3nYFCivMjGL7l1ZjMi5AvJryXZGm4x5foCXIl8LlAGPqcgMWXVIwuaWVsadYotVPbO93UszSB4zkgHuZXIlYdotlkHbkcfswwLXYVnH6mULc/s400/DIYReindeerOrnament5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Find some cute Christmas ribbon (you can usually find cute ribbon at most craft stores for only a dollar!) and hot glue around all the edges....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRFXxWbrmjLX_ijoOYl4YyDzl9R0XP9ccnvgEU3oBrgFJBb_Ut_NZAvjh5BUVYqWBg4JVfdYMtGiRgU17x2ROEmgf3j_0xKA79ZgEz6zz4j3kZWhhb30nmeJ987G9__HKBMcrMm4Oxc8/s1600/DIYReindeerOrnament4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRFXxWbrmjLX_ijoOYl4YyDzl9R0XP9ccnvgEU3oBrgFJBb_Ut_NZAvjh5BUVYqWBg4JVfdYMtGiRgU17x2ROEmgf3j_0xKA79ZgEz6zz4j3kZWhhb30nmeJ987G9__HKBMcrMm4Oxc8/s400/DIYReindeerOrnament4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then make a loop at the top, hot-gluing it to the back, so you can hang it on your tree - and don't forget to write your kids' names and the year! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWTDZfdnS9d7WfTg942vRBVPSK9qU2Yr2zttYjEbXSOX_Yg-RhDtHEZ-9yRHD_ivCIPVu35fP_ai1DsKzDieOBimUi1hxEjWJL2Qx-aJ_FFpduT2vZPOp5X4jP8_Xa1qeoNXFspoAn30/s1600/DIYReindeerOrnament3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWTDZfdnS9d7WfTg942vRBVPSK9qU2Yr2zttYjEbXSOX_Yg-RhDtHEZ-9yRHD_ivCIPVu35fP_ai1DsKzDieOBimUi1hxEjWJL2Qx-aJ_FFpduT2vZPOp5X4jP8_Xa1qeoNXFspoAn30/s400/DIYReindeerOrnament3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Add embellishments if you want - for Luke I did a red nose and for Livi I added a bow since she is almost never without one. ;) That's IT! So easy, right?! Besides waiting a little bit to make sure the thumbprints are good and dry, this project is hands-on for all of like 5-10 minutes. :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4rEjEhaMZsS1avm_g6S2M1fJ6U9-E5XpqXekHJSe23dxsyB28W9Eg38Ewx52nlaJUdu06lCAh4YO6Njo_KdMa_sq1ktPOCs8C0lugCetNjdM4wgmLs6sweE9pox6NcmQq6N7K2UoxKc/s1600/DIYReindeerOrnament2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4rEjEhaMZsS1avm_g6S2M1fJ6U9-E5XpqXekHJSe23dxsyB28W9Eg38Ewx52nlaJUdu06lCAh4YO6Njo_KdMa_sq1ktPOCs8C0lugCetNjdM4wgmLs6sweE9pox6NcmQq6N7K2UoxKc/s400/DIYReindeerOrnament2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Okay, that's all I have for today! Enjoy the rest of your week! :)</div>
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Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-46799159557774618292015-11-15T19:39:00.000-08:002015-11-15T19:39:37.225-08:00Favorite Things Party {2015}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi everybody! Hard to believe, but it's already that time of year again for <a href="http://www.320sycamoreblog.com/2015/11/favorite-things-2015.html"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Melissa's annual Favorite Things Party</span></a>! Except for last year when I took a blogging break, I have been participating in this since 2009 - aka the blogging Dark Ages! ;) I love getting a big cup of coffee and checking out everyone's links and getting new gift ideas - it's like getting a bunch of free personal shoppers at once - I love it! And I'm so honored to be part of the link-up this year - so thank you, Melissa! :)</div>
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As usual, since we seem to be on a perpetual budget over here (ha!), I have kept everything super affordable on the list - in fact, this year I believe everything on here is less than $10! It's always a bummer to see a blogger rave about something fabulous only to find out it's way out of your price range - so my goal was to find, once again, things that I loved that hopefully everyone could afford. I figured if I can afford it on my budget, anyone can! ;) </div>
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I've included gift items, personal items, some favorite foods, and even some favorite recipes below. So grab your favorite drink and come browse - I hope you leave inspired with something new! :) </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">{T O B U Y}</span><br />
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{1 - Starbucks Packets}<br />
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Sometimes Christmas gifts are easy to find, but stocking stuffers can be tough - am I right? Enter...these fabulous Starbucks packets. Just add warm milk, pop it in the microwave, and you are good to go! My husband loves these drinks and they can be found at Target and other stores. (I found mine at Christmas Tree Shop this year for only $4.99! They make a ridiculously cold New England day a little easier to bear!}</div>
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6cOTCMWKxutnh94ea91Ji57ec2d5DLQHfoGCfHsR3O7K0MyE-es7qN_9mfkigsmauoNGPpuoOE-e9Jb_1QKdS3KhJLwFIFBPm8i8y_PtlMhPzY0kiKFRu4jpXruQD73E1LrnTLCie0U/s400/hotchocolate.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxQyTnw3IZjX2NYnfjTGryoDNFc1IU4ySs_BBIO1ST9qSFf0njtRbKmyAlODzd35tSwMjAm49u71nwKg7GpdQnRYRXmG61ozeN3uICwfMhuCOKfrsIwTWs1LlCMsPO_SGKUFpkOS_Qvo/s400/saltedcaramel.jpg" width="300" /><br />
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{2 - Essie Polish in "Velvet Voyage"}<br />
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Another fun item to gift is nail polish - no size required and every girl likes a fun new color to try out! :) I love Essie colors - they go on thick and I can go longer between coats than other brands. This color is a little darker than I normally go (it's a deep, DEEP purple) but I've been loving the bold color this fall! </div>
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYBaxePupbSHEVis2gnDu2OGG38k6keq9G2oHvQxvjEkFvchc849NtnLCiwNmjtbzfN4U7ZVmQv2lDmvDLfL4rzgmPqFNawtlJkQAa5JVadfcPJrpPvoe7B5YbgOM52IMvocgKT_Zp3A/s400/velvetvoyageessie.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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{3 - Yes To: Coconut Lip Balm}</div>
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I'm <strike>slightly </strike>seriously obsessed with all things coconut and this Yes To one is fabulous! No scary ingredients and easy to find at drugstores - it's like a little bit of summer on your lips all year round! ;) </div>
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5083Y8amympvEoPuiPEzmUjTaJRAzKpsoNtQh96VnbaqjBUSLjSxvikUz61szgDo2ToaNVncWhRrIqQQZf2RxXN4HwoYI7X-Uh2EmBg0CmIUAa4dCZsEV474UDHMld9MKOumafrwQHnw/s400/coconutchapstick.jpg" width="300" /><br />
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{4 - Earrings from Walmart - YES, Walmart!}</div>
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I can't remember where I first heard that Walmart sells jewelry, but they do! And most of it is crazy cheap - these earrings were $2.88! Now I'm not saying that they might be the best quality metals (haha!) but I've been wearing these silver ones for months now and they haven't bothered my ears at all. For $2.88 (!!!) they have lots of fun choices so you can pick a pair up to add to a gift or just buy something fun for yourself! :) </div>
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MlsqxRvoLMUSUi2IGEIfi9p1qNTuIIAE8D38MxG49pzXr8SvrzJ6vCG7srxy615AryXUVnMtCuePxjdAIGXkHSvavsA-KUiJOBQsGmtH8la2g_9GBaBovXo5MKWRZMpAOu6yXnUPrSo/s400/walmartearrings.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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{5 - Sugar Paper Products}</div>
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Every year I go to Target to get my Sugar Paper calendar! They are simple, gorgeous, and affordable. I mean, if you have to look at a calendar every day, it might as well be pretty, right? </div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQhRd1_eiiXq3jG16be9JnFIZxgDGHZwbopqDbsM6CulPQyJVpMqIBTv85BdXAGnd_OhOF-xb7ZzD7gzmeeXJcBnW_PIW7UWdjN9Qm8a1l88soT0bPnRhKuqmPvjjdEiFepJ_M37x8As/s320/sugarpaper.jpg" /><br />
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{6 - Secret Deodorant: "Stress Response"}<br />
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Lastly....deodorant. You may ask why I'm including this in a favorite things party - well, because I sweat. Like a lot. Like A LOT a lot. I am a nervous sweater, which means I am the lucky kind of person who can literally sweat through a sweater if I get nervous enough. It's awful. I have literally tried every single deodorant out there, including a prescription for a while but it burned so bad I had to stop. This deodorant is pricey (it will run you about $9 or so probably) but it is SO WORTH IT. I'm not saying I don't still sweat, but it helps it bajillion times more and - how to put this nicely - helps you not be stinky. If you are like me and sweat like crazy, seriously try this! It will help!! :) </div>
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEBpKTpPWLye4pChyphenhyphencVqUpVgJWXrP4nBXctmKjRtcH29XltpT3NU-tjVKtCZIIBLBt7fquPt7ynGT6cybrCN67jTWEPX1CeC8NSMxwQCzZU6qKbZYls6dvPoIeJKLDIjxD_XTgNrPYGc/s400/stresscontroldeo.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">{T O E A T}</span></div>
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{1 - Trader Joe's Coconut Cookie Thins and 72% Dark}<br />
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Continuing on the coconut theme, if you have a Trader Joe's near you, you MUST go purchase these Coconut Thins!!! The coconut flavor is SO good - seriously, you just have to trust me on this! And if you're a highly classy eater like me, break off a piece of the 72% dark (they sell it right by the registers) and alternate bites of dark chocolate and coconut crisp cookie. Ahhhhh...you can thank me later! Haha! </div>
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<img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2TxA5hdyWF2KyJPmJ-lhOg9JDGOR-jhcsJzGEQeOvZLV9zEwwXbzYtKKq4WBMYGGRD-lAtIShGgHvP5mZXBUL021k6MqPd4sbNn15oR0NJcuZGjDKjBXJSRg4Wn6YkyBgsNlhJTpuTM/s400/coconutthinsdarkchoc.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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{2 - Starbucks' Caffe Verona blend}</div>
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Whether for you or for a gift, Caffe Verona is our favorite blend lately. I totally won't pretend to be smart enough to know about "finishes" and "notes" and all that stuff when it comes to coffee...but this has a deep, rounded (?) flavor that Chris and I both love. Plus it's a dark roast so we can get by with slightly smaller tablespoons when filling the coffee pot - see? Delicious AND cost-effective. ;)<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoG7mKiaCJV9QzAzbIiaf9tkKURCZli9J-FBZ8nbrJJpyQOj4lpoiwzr2mt9jvaRJwZW5aSelHjVcHbyndQ74yEyeLmXi7W3b1n7yP4SSnRoY1iisRVqpviqQLcuOQlkHv3yoBLY5xM1E/s320/caffeverona.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">{T O M A K E & B A K E}</span></div>
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{1- Feta Dip from Clover Lane}<br />
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For the last several years, I have made this <a href="http://www.memoriesoncloverlane.com/2010/11/recipe-that-will-make-your-life-easier.html"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Feta Dip from Clover Lane</span></a> for Christmas Eve with my dad's side of the family. I buy a baguette at the grocery store (although she also has a amazing baguette recipe on her site that I've made before, too!), slice up some thin rounds, and serve it alongside the dip. It always gets devoured - it's easy and delicious, and BONUS points - with green onions and Roma tomatoes in it, it automatically has Christmas colors in it! Try it for your next party - I promise you won't regret it!<br />
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<img alt="[055[2].jpg]" height="266" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_pnod42FNjYY/TM71Vcr9ejI/AAAAAAAASfU/-6V0fySU6ic/s400/055%5B2%5D.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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Photo via <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Cimg%20src=%22http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_pnod42FNjYY/TM71Vcr9ejI/AAAAAAAASfU/-6V0fySU6ic/s1600/055%5B2%5D.jpg%22%20alt=%22[055[2].jpg]%22/%3E"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Clover Lane</span></a><br />
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{2- Paula Deen Cheesecake}</div>
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The second recipe is a little more complicated - but only because it has several steps (the steps themselves aren't difficult). The recipe is <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars-with-streusel-topping-recipe.html"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Paula Deen's "Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping" </span></a>(say that five times fast! lol!) and it is TO DIE FOR. Shortbread crust, then cheesecake, then chopped apples with cinnamon, then a brown sugar crumble, then drizzled with caramel. HELLO!!! I'm including it here because it would make an amazing Thanksgiving dessert. I made it in October for our small group and everyone loved it too - you really can't go wrong with a Paula Deen dessert! ;) </div>
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Photo via <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/caramel-apple-cheesecake-bars-with-streusel-topping-recipe.html"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Food Network</span></a><br />
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That wraps it us for me this year! Please take a peek at <a href="http://www.320sycamoreblog.com/2015/11/favorite-things-2015.html"><span style="color: #ea9999;">all of the other fabulous ladies participating this year</span></a>, and thank you to Melissa for having me! {If you don't follow Melissa already, you must - she is so down to earth, her style is impeccable, and she just has wonderful ideas to share! I've been following her for years now and she continues to have great content to share.} I'm the last girl to share for today, but tomorrow <a href="http://centsationalgirl.com/"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Centsational Girl </span></a>heads the list so be sure to pay her a visit! :)<br />
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If you want to see things I've shared in years past, click<span style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/search/label/My%20Favorite%20Things"> <span style="color: #ea9999;">this link to see what I've shared before</span></a> </span>- things like my favorite perfume and movies haven't changed. Either that makes me boring or traditional - you can decide! Haha!<br /><br />Let me know if you were here and if we share a love of anything on my list! Happy Monday, everyone! :)<br />
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Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-72026015059328044742015-11-06T06:38:00.004-08:002015-11-06T06:39:11.599-08:00Currently. {November}<div style="text-align: center;">
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My mom's friend Patti stopped by last week and saw my Geo Mesh wreath and asked if I would make her one, too. I was very flattered that she loved my big ol' wreath! :) I started to get super nervous though when it wasn't coming out right because I just could not get that bow to sit straight and I was so afraid she would be disappointed! Thankfully I finally got it worked out and she loved it! I know the big puffy Geo Mesh look isn't for everyone but I'm still totally in love. ;) It's like the Texas Hair version of wreaths, am I right?!! LOL!! And novice wreath maker here - I forgot to take a pic of my finished product so thankfully she took this pic for me when she brought it to her house. :) </div>
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Oh sweet mercy. We live far from Trader Joe's but I was up there on Tuesday and they were sampling this salsa at the sample table. It's like chutney and salsa got married and had a perfect little spicy fall baby. (hahahahaha)</div>
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They paired it with crackers but I picked up these Sweet Potato chips and OH MY WORD the combination is perfect! Go get some! I am soooo sad my jar is almost gone - why did I not buy 5?! WHY?!</div>
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Speaking of food, we are LOVING this fabulous <a href="http://asmallsnippet.com/2011/03/spicy-thai-noodles.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">Spicy Thai Noodles</span></a> recipe from A Small Snippet. I've eaten it hot and cold and loved it both ways. Sooooo yummy! A few things to note: her recipe card at the end of the post doesn't include carrots - so scroll above to see that part! Also, I think using a whole box of pasta was a bit much - next time I'll just use about 3/4 box to concentrate the flavors better. And I followed everyone's advice to just use the sesame oil and not the veg oil too - and I used 1 T red pepper flakes and felt that was fine. Chris took the rest for leftovers this morning but I informed him that I needed to take a pic - so hence the dark 7:15 am photo of the noodles. Make these - you won't be sorry! I am more than a little sad they are officially gone now. ;)</div>
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I love this view out my front window when I sip my coffee in "my" chair. Today it's overcast but fall is still so beautiful! And don't even get me started on the fabulous damp leaves smell lately! I probably sound crazy if you live in a southern climate, but there is just nothing like that smell to me! </div>
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Yesterday my friend Amber and I decided to venture out to an Aldi's grand opening near us. It was a little bit of a drive but we were told that there would be golden tickets passed out for the first 100 people in line. The store opened at 9 and I got in the car at 8:08 only to realize I was out of gas! Ahhh!! So I made the epic decision to only get half a tank - and I'm so glad I did! I pulled up and the line was crazy so Luke jogged beside me while I hauled Livi on my hip, my huge purse and my reusable bags to grab a carriage (because so help me I was not going to shop without a carriage) and then booked it to the back of the line! Please imagine me doing all of that while simultaneously trying to look cool, calm and collected! LOL!! <br />
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Amber came a few minutes behind me and I think she was number 97....and the reason this is under "Laughing" is because I texted Chris afterward and told him "Opening Day at Aldi's isn't for sissies!" There were tons of people in there and I waited in line to get in but I ended up getting $15 off and when you're on one income that is great - but WOW what an old lady thing to do. Standing in line for a discount grocery store opening?? Hahaha ;) </div>
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We were invited by some friends to go to the zoo this week on Election Day since local schools were out. It was a gorgeous New England day and we had a wonderful time with them. Since my friend is a member, she was able to get us in for free and I was so grateful for the unexpected free "field trip" for my kids! </div>
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We had a fabulous Halloween with lots of chances to wear our costumes this year (Liv was Elsa and Luke was a pirate and they had a blast!) but I'm thinking I need this candy out of my house! The Reese's cups are too much to handle! Actually as I typed this I just got up to freeze them. I'll save them for a desperation day. LOL</div>
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Lastly, I'm loving this picture of my girl I took yesterday at the library! I just want to squeeze her sweet little cheeks! I've said it before, but after my postpartum experience with Luke I was DONE having kids. We had always wanted to adopt anyway, so we just went ahead with it. We got licensed to foster-adopt in the state of CT on May 4th 2012, and I found out I was pregnant on May 30th - just a few weeks later. I was scared TO DEATH to be pregnant again but God knew we needed her! She is such an absolute joy to us and we just adore our little surprise. So grateful God plans our lives and not us! </div>
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Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-83440701295811284912015-10-27T05:23:00.000-07:002015-10-27T05:23:00.093-07:00Fall Around Our House {2015}<div style="text-align: center;">
As someone who always loved school and then became a teacher myself, I've just always loved the fall season! The awful humidity of the summer has gone, the cool breezes have begun to blow in, and to me, everything starts to feel new again - with all the promise of the start of a fresh new year. It's no secret if you know me that I'm super sentimental, and fall is just so chock-full of memories and traditions that I like to try to keep. I love all of it and most of all Thanksgiving weekend. It is far and away my most favorite four days of the year!</div>
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And the rest of the fall, with all of its coziness and focus on family, just makes my heart happy too. I love when my house gets filled with all the warm colors and textures of the season! Just thinking about it makes me smile. :) </div>
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If you've known me for a while, either in real life or here on the blog, you know that I don't have much money each year to spend on decorations. There's a wonderful blogger I read who gets lots of gorgeous things each year from Pottery Barn...while I would LOVE to be able to afford that stuff, even on clearance, it's usually not an option. A long time ago I wrote a post sharing <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/2011/11/simple-tips-for-inexpensive-fall.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">some tips about how to decorate seasonally</span></a>, and I would reiterate here...when money is tight, focus on a color, add candles, and shop all year round. A good smelling candle on a pretty orange plate can cost you just a few dollars and will go a long way toward making your home feel seasonal! <br /><br />And as far as shopping year round...you will feel a little crazy buying that faux pumpkin at a garage sale in May, but you will be so happy to unearth it come September - and be even happier it only cost you 50 cents when all the new decor in stores costs much more. </div>
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I also have a small house, so there's nothing "grand" here - just little bits of the season woven throughout my home. <br /><br />Be prepared...I uploaded a lot of photos! ;)<br />Grab a cup of coffee or some hot cider....and come on in! :) </div>
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I would say nearly everything I've purchased on clearance, made myself, or bought at a yard sale! And yes, I use many of the same things from year to year, just switched around or updated... :)</div>
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<br /><br />A few months ago, we were gifted a piano! As a music teacher, I love this for many reasons...not the least of which is that I now have another space to decorate seasonally! Haha!! ;) The black and white photo is of my mother-in-law back in the 50s...I saw it at her house this summer in a pile of old photos and I just had to have it! It's the sweetest little picture of her, and she has played piano her whole life so I thought it was only fitting that she be framed on top of our piano. :)</div>
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I made this Geo Mesh wreath earlier this year and I love it! It is so easy to just add a ribbon and have a "new" wreath multiple times each year. Lots of videos on YouTube if you want to make one yourself! :)</div>
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<br />Hot coffee and Southern Living...good afternoon in my book. ;) </div>
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Something new I added this year was this adorable wood and burlap garland from Target. Only $3 in the Dollar Spot!<br /></div>
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At the Dollar Tree you can find little faux orange candles (the battery-operated kind) two for a dollar! Such nice ambiance when you have kids and don't necessarily want a real flame right near where little hands get washed. lol</div>
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I found this fabric last year at Hobby Lobby and my mom sewed up cases for me. The combo reminds me of candy corn and I love them.<br /><br /></div>
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We are so lucky to live behind a small farm and we are given these glorious farm views all year long - here is our gorgeous backyard last night! The farm starts right behind the rock wall that borders our property. Ahhh!! Fall bliss! :)</div>
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<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!</div>
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Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-71388114546945001382015-10-21T13:23:00.001-07:002015-10-21T13:23:28.526-07:00I Think I’m Back!! {No Really This Time…}<div align="center">
Oh my goodness. Can a blog be brought back to life after a
year’s sabbatical? Maybe? Possibly? <br /><br />Well I’m about to find out if it
can be done, aren’t I? :)<br /><br />2015 has been the most emotionally draining
year of my life…yes, even more than the incredibly sad and nerve-wracking early
months of 2013 leading up to <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/p/olivias-story.html"><span style="color: #dd8484;">Olivia’s heart surgery</span></a> – which I had previously thought
was the worst and hardest part of my life. Luke has been dealing with an
extremely rare and challenging issue that I’m not sure if I’m ready to delve
into publicly yet…but let’s just say that this past April saw us flying across
the country to Arizona out of desperation to see a (quite literally)
one-in-a-million doctor who could treat him for a weekend intensive session.
The end of January through mid-April of this year were some of the darkest, most
soul-agonizing, literal on-our-knees sobbing and praying months we’ve ever lived
through. <br /><br />And here we are six months later, in mid-October. You could
say we are <strike>a little</strike> very battle-weary and scarred, but after 9
months of grieving and sadness we are finally feeling like our heads are above
water again and we can face the sun. <br /><br />Is that cryptic enough for you?!
lol Sometime I might be brave enough to write out all that has happened to us
this year, but for now I’m just happy to have finally clicked open Windows Live
Writer after thinking about it approximately 498 times in the last 12 months…and
to be here typing. ;) <br /><br />I hate that there’s been such a “blackout” of our
lives since last year and I want to start recording memories again here. So I’m
going to try again to do this thing. ;)<br /><br /><br />----------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />So, what does life look like
for us now? <br /><br />Ummmm…we are older and more tired! Ha!!</div>
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<br /><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Us at PF Changs’ in September
celebrating Chris’s 32nd birthday</span></em><br /><br />Chris works for the same
company and continues to be my solid rock through our crazy life. He also makes
me laugh every.single.day. I would be lost without him!<br /><br />I still sell for
Thirty-One and I HOMESCHOOL now (no one was more shocked than me! LOL). I also
try to keep this crazy crew of ours together, clean, and fed. ;) </div>
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<br /><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The kids at the pumpkin patch last
Saturday – Luke is going through a phase <br />where he is like, literally
incapable of smiling and staring at the camera <br />simultaneously – so this was
basically as good as it was gonna get! Haha!</span></em></div>
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<br />Luke is in first grade now and loves to draw and create with
whatever he can get his hands on. He is sweet and compassionate and funny and
sensitive and is so good with Olivia. He is, of course, not a perfect child,
but he has such a good heart. He will often spontaneously give me hugs, and
tell me he loves me and that I’m the best mom ever (ha! Bless his heart!) – and
he loves to pat Livi on the head and give her a squeeze and say to me, “Mom,
isn’t Livi SO cute?!” <br /><br />He asks incredibly insightful questions about the
world around him and some super good theology questions, too, which keeps us on
our toes! lol (Today in the car it was, “Mom, why is God always an adult but
Jesus came to earth as a baby?” SEE WHAT I MEAN?!! LOL!!) <br /><br /> He
loves Legos, anything Minions, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Wild Kratts
(he has always had a love/fascination with animals). He and Liv are the best
of friends, let me tell you - everyone always sings the praises of
same-gendered siblings, but these two are 3.5 years apart and play together all
day long. It’s the best! (Don’t misunderstand me – they can fight like cats and
dogs, too! They know how to get under each other’s skin! lol But mostly I’ve
been shocked at well they play together. )<br /><br /><br /><br />And Miss Olivia makes us laugh
every day with her two-year-old antics. Her most recent thing is when you tell
her something will happen in say, five minutes, she says, “No, two ow-ahs
(hours)!” and holds up two fingers. ;) She is so incredibly cute right now and
the three of us get a kick out of her daily. Luke had a speech delay and didn’t
really speak much until age 3, so we are LOVING hearing a little two-year-old’s
voice and thoughts each day around the house. <br /><br />She is currently obsessed
with her dollies and babies, coloring, Dora the Explorer and Peppa Pig. She
also loves to pile as many toys and gadets as humanly possible into her little
Minnie Mouse pink shopping cart and push it slowly around the house like a
little granny. Hehe! She is super active and praise God has had great
cardiology check-ups the last 2.5 years. We had her most recent one in
September and were told her next surgery is hopefully still a decade away!
Hooray! </div>
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<br /><br />So that’s life with us right now. Busy with church, small
group, homeschool activities, and just plain old life! I’m so happy to be back!
I’ve missed my blog!<br /></div>
Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-6312283877781834852014-10-09T11:46:00.002-07:002014-10-09T12:33:49.236-07:00A Day in My Life: October 7, 2014<br />
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<a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/2013/11/a-day-in-life-8-months-later.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">Eleven months ago</span></a> I did a "Day in the Life" post...and haven't done one since then! Crazy! </div>
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So yesterday I decided to document a day again...a very regular, very routine Tuesday....but I already enjoy going back to read my previous "Day in the Life" posts to see how much we've changed as a family, so I know I'll enjoy reading this one some day, too! </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sorry about the photo formatting...I'm still having to use Blogger instead of Live Writer and I can't figure out photos here yet! </span></i></div>
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6:45 am - This is when I am supposed to wake up. Do I? Ummmm, no. You can see I'm already basically putting my best foot forward here. Annnnd I forgot to plug my phone in again last night (Why can't I remember to do that?? Why does my brain forget this??). Awe.some.</div>
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7:03 - I'm up for real now. Not saying I like it, but I'm up. Ha! </div>
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I head straight to the shower since my kids miraculously aren't awake yet (thank you, extra-dark fall mornings!). Chris is home and he's started coffee. Bless him.</div>
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7:25 - I'm showered and dressed...it's coffee time!! Fiiiiiinallly!! I'm on the Trim Healthy Mama plan so my coffee is with stevia now, not sugar. </div>
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7:30 - Luke is awake and quietly drinking his milk. I can't find a straw anywhere so my 5-year-old is getting a toddler sippy cup. I'm amazing.</div>
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7:35 - We pray with Luke about his day at school (he's been facing some struggles recently) and Chris leaves for work. I love, love, love the flexibility of this job he has now and how he can often see the kids before he leaves for work. Such a blessing.</div>
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7:40 - Baby girl is up (way later than usual!!) and we're snuggled on the couch with her bottle. Yup, she's 20 months old and takes her milk from a bottle still. With Luke I packed away all his bottles after his first birthday because that's what you were "supposed" to do. Now I know that it comforts her...and she drinks happily from a straw or sippy cups the rest of the day. I realize now that it's sooo not a big deal. ;)</div>
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The bow is a small attempt to contain the mass of curls...Sister's bedhead is EPIC. :)</div>
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8:30 - Brother is safely on the school bus (A huge dog was running around the neighborhood scaring the daylights out of me (I'm terrified of dogs!!) and I was standing there at the door with him, wondering how on EARTH I was going to make it with my child safely to the school bus. The dog stared at us from across the street but did not come close! Thank goodness we were okay! Ahhh! My heart was pounding!!)</div>
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Finally able to sip some more coffee....I've been awake for an hour and a half and I've only gotten about 2 sips so far! </div>
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I fry up some eggs and onions for me and Liv and pull her next to me in the booster while we eat. A friend of mine has linked to this groom dancing for his wife at their wedding and we watch this video together. I can't help it - I'm mesmerized by people who can dance well! Have you guys seen this?! It's seriously adorable.</div>
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Also? It's crazy to me how my kitchen is always spotless at night before bed and then it can look like this after breakfast (and Luke's lunch prep) in the morning. Insane.</div>
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At this point the power randomly goes off for about 2 minutes and then comes back on....</div>
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I put my makeup on and do my hair while this cutie reads next to me ;)</div>
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9:30 - We're ready to go do errands! My shirt and jeans are thrifted from the last few weeks - it's so fun to have new clothes, even if they're thrifted. ;) </div>
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First stop - the bank to deposit a huge amount of checks from my Thirty-One party on Saturday night. Yowsa! That's a good thing though. ;) Liv is making sure I notice something outside the window (don't worry we were parked!!)</div>
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We head to Goodwill to see if they have any cute clothes (I have way more time than money, so I've been trying to pop into Goodwill once a week to browse for clothes to build my fall wardrobe. Now that I've finallllly lost all of my baby weight from Liv (Hallelujah!!) I need more clothes (I didn't buy hardly anything last fall since I was still a little fluffy. lol)</div>
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No luck with clothes, but I do snag this cute little frame for her room and two white milk-glass dishes. All 3 things for $1.48 total! Yay!</div>
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Next up is the grocery store and Livi nearly hyperventilates when she gets her cookie. Such a shame she has zero personality... ;) </div>
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12:30 pm - We're back home! And the car is mostly unloaded. I get Livi some lunch and she eats while I put food away. She gets down but still munches on her pretzels, and we take some silly photos. And then I lay her down for her nap.</div>
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12:53 - Finally...lunch for me!! I'm starving at this point, so I make up a SUPER fast wrap using leftover beans and brown rice (an E meal on THM) and take a few minutes to browse through my Thirty-One magazine for consultants. </div>
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1:03 - I finish lunch, put the rest of the groceries away, and continue to work on my party order from Saturday. I like to triple-check everything, especially monogrammed items. Happy customers are my priority! I call Lindsay to ask her about a Christmas order she's putting in and we end up talking for about an hour. I clean the kitchen while I talk to her. I hang up with her, check some e-mails, pick up around the house, and then Amber calls to chat for a little while, too. </div>
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3:20 - Luke is home! yay! He is TRHILLED that I've picked up Oreos for him while he's at school - they were on sale, whoo hoo!) He tells me he made Mickey Mouse. :) </div>
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He settles in to color (his most favorite thing ever - it relaxes him) and I make myself a quick THM chocolate coffee shake and work on Gideon - I'm doing this in Women's Bible Study this fall and loving it!!</div>
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I get a texted order on my phone to add to the party, so I add it and then input payments while Luke colors. Livi is still sleeping!! Small miracle. </div>
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Luke's moved on to cutting (which is great for him because he has fine motor issues) and I finally click "Send" on the order screen...hold my breath...it went through!! Whoo hoo!! Another party in the books. ;) </div>
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4:30 - Liv is up and she's subdued with milk. I let the kids watch Peppa Pig while I make dinner. I was going to make Cheeseburger Pie but this chicken sausage was on sale at the store today, so I'm making this instead. I chop the sausage and then fry it up with onions (mmmm smells so good!) and serve it with salad. Chris and Liv eat a baked potato with their portions. </div>
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5:15 - We eat. :) </div>
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5:40 - We're done with dinner and it's on to the dishes while Chris plays "Mystery" (a game Luke created) with the kids. It's so mundane but I take a literal step back from doing the dishes and I "choose gratitude" that we have delicious healthy food to eat and that I have a husband who loves his children so much. </div>
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6:30ish - Chris gives the kids baths and I make myself one of my FAVORITE THM desserts: Cheesecake Berry Crunch. MMMMmmmm!! So good. We do jammies, stories, and bedtime routines. </div>
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7:45 - Liv is down for the night (normally it's 7, but tonight it's late since she woke up so late!) </div>
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8:00 - Luke is down for the night too. </div>
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8:20 - Luke cries because he wants it to be morning already and the darkness to go away. (Ha!) Go in and talk to him. My MIL calls to talk to Chris and I briefly.</div>
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8:30 - Send an e-mail to Luke's teacher about an issue we're dealing with at school and have Chris read it too to make sure I worded everything the right way. </div>
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8:45 - Ahhhh, finally!! I make some vanilla herbal tea (not because I like tea but because it's warm and calorie-free! Ha!) and settle down to watch the latest Parenthood online. Chris works next to me on his laptop at the kitchen island but is close enough to hear and laugh at the funny parts (umm, Crosby).</div>
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I browse Facebook when it's over. </div>
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10:30 - I realized I start and end my days with this coffeepot! Haha! Our favorite blend is Starbucks' Pike Place Roast. We both like to inhale the beans at night when they're going in to the filter. LOL</div>
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10:41 - Goodnight world! </div>
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And there you have it....my very ordinary, very regular day. </div>
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God is good. </div>
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:)</div>
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<br />Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-54725741337050253862014-09-26T11:54:00.003-07:002014-09-26T11:55:29.677-07:00I'M BAAAAAAACK!!!!!<br />
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Did you guys miss me or WHAT?! Umm…no joke, I literally had to stop and think
for a second when I turned on my computer this afternoon, because for the life
of me I couldn’t remember the name of the program I have used to write out my
posts for the last several YEARS. </div>
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Oh yeah…<em>Live Writer</em>….. </div>
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Haha! It has been waaaay too long!! (Ironically, I'm currently locked out of Live Writer and am using good ol' Blogger to write this!)</div>
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So….what have I been up to
during my summer hiatus?! </div>
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We had a great summer checking almost everything off our family bucket list
(leaving 2 things empty by accident, which may or may not have seriously
stressed out my eldest child who likes everything to be perfect and finished
–lol!).</div>
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We went to the zoo, had beach afternoons, went to Pennsylvania to see
Chris’s family, celebrated Luke turning FIVE (!!!) two times – once in CT and
once in PA, and hosted friends and family here at our house for weekend visits. <br />
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And you KNOW I decorated my house for the season, naturally… ;)</div>
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Because I just can’t help myself. I MUST decorate seasonally. Ha!!</div>
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My “summer” Pryex – don’t worry, there’s way more where this came from! Haha!!</div>
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May was a big month for me personally, since I both started as a consultant for
Thirty-One (best “job” EVER!!) and also started the Trim Healthy Mama
diet/eating plan. Thanks to THM I’ve lost between 10-11 pounds depending on the
day, and countless inches (I need to take new measurements sometime soon!)</div>
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Now we’ve entered a new phase of life with Luke as a
Kindergartener. It’s weird and different and wonderful all at the same time. I
miss him very much during the day, but we’re in week 5 of school now and
thankfully that’s getting easier – or at least, I’m getting used to it. </div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chris and I jokingly titled this photo, “How everyone in our
family *really* feels about Luke starting school!” :)</span></em> </div>
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I spend my days with this little cutie going to library story-time, shopping and
errands, women’s Bible study, and housecleaning. </div>
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In the afternoons and evenings I’m busy working on Thirty-One, taking care of my
home and family, helping Luke with homework, and…. <br />
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<em>running.</em>
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Yes people, I run now! It was one of my self-discipline
goals earlier in the year and last time I went out I ran a mile and a half – my
longest time ever!! I currently run a mile in about 11:30 so I have a loooong
way to go but it has been good for me. Considering that in the beginning of
August I could barely run the length of three houses without wanting to die,
this is huge progress for me! I still hate prettttty much every second of it (I
have zero athletic ability and hate all sports), but it’s rewarding to both see
my core tightening up – thank you, 2 c-sections – and to have that feeling of
self-discipline every time I get out there and run a little farther.
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Fall is here in CT and we are loving it! Last week my in-laws came down
for the weekend and we went apple-picking and celebrated Chris’s birthday (décor
by Luke – lol!). I could not for the life of me get them to both look at me –
but these two cuties loved their wagon ride from Daddy around the rows of apple
trees!</div>
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Well, I think that brings you up to speed! My plan is to be back on a regular
blogging schedule now that the fall is upon us! I have lots of post ideas
swirling around in my head that have been waiting for months to be typed out!
Stay tuned! ;)</div>
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Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-7702604661066078802014-05-15T18:15:00.001-07:002014-05-15T18:17:22.145-07:00The Reason for My Blog Hiatus: Fun News! :)<p align="center">Nope, I’m definitely not pregnant, and we’re not adopting…yet.  ;)</p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0080"><strong>BUT I did just become an Independent Consultant for Thirty-One! YAY!</strong></font>  </p> <p align="center">I’ve literally been contemplating this and praying about this since February.  I’m pretty sure I’ve watched every single YouTube video about Thirty-One you could possibly watch, listened in on a new recruits call, spent hours reading posts on the Thirty-One Facebook and Pinterest pages…yeah you get the idea.  This girl is a liiiiittle obsessed!  </p> <p align="center">{Oh, and in case you’ve never heard of <a href="http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/"><font color="#ff0080">Thirty-One</font></a> before, we sell totes, purses, thermals, bags, home organizers, etc….all in adorable prints and nearly all able to be MONOGRAMMED!  Be still my heart!!}</p> <p align="center"> <img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="https://www.mythirtyone.com/images/product_images/4182927A0000_large.jpg" /></p> <p align="center">I got my first Thirty-One product at a home party in 2011 (the Organizing Utility Tote, to use as a diaper bag!) and have loved their products ever since.  Over the years I acquired a few more things, but since I didn’t personally know a consultant, my collection stayed small.  </p> <p align="center">In February, through a long series of events, I ended up getting a new {monogrammed!!!!} diaper bag to use for Olivia and fell in love with Thirty-One all over again.  I thought about it day and night and it got to the point where I couldn’t fathom NOT selling it.  I didn’t want it to just be something I owned…I loved the products and the company so much I wanted to be a bigger part of it.  </p> <p align="center"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="https://www.mythirtyone.com/images/product_images/4441918A0000_large.jpg" width="301" height="301" /></p> <p align="center">So I joined!!!!  On May 2nd, to be exact.  My enrollment kit arrived last week, and it is BEEEE-YOUTIFUL.  I am in love.  I’ve already had 2 orders, but my first “live” party is this weekend at my house.  CAN’T WAIT!  </p> <p align="center">I am *super* proud to represent a company that makes beautiful, functional, high-quality and durable products…that was also founded by a woman who shares my faith {Thirty-One comes from Proverbs 31, the chapter about the virtuous and hard-working woman}.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="https://www.mythirtyone.com/images/product_images/4241590F0000_large.jpg" /></p> <p align="center">My journey just started and I can’t wait to see where it takes me!  I keep praying so, so hard that God will let this business succeed (even if it’s small).  I just want to be a huge blessing to Chris and help contribute to our family financially! </p> <p align="center">Anyway, if you are interested in ordering anything, I’d love for you to take a look at my website!  We are currently running a crazy awesome sale on these items/prints {sadly both Fun Flops items you see below are sold out but the others are all still available}: </p> <p align="center"> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CclskEIGVvI/U3VmtOyJZTI/AAAAAAAAFCQ/6AHl0vhZjVY/s1600-h/aMAYzing_flier%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="aMAYzing_flier" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="aMAYzing_flier" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bwp6-s6_bFU/U3Vmu-RM8KI/AAAAAAAAFCY/AriGLjEgScw/aMAYzing_flier_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="543" height="704" /></a></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">This month, the customer special is Spend $31, get any of the three thermal options below {come in multiple prints!} for 50% off!  And the awesome news is, you can use the clearance prices above ^ toward your $31 total to qualify for the monthly special!  YAY!  You can order a $20 item and a $10 item from above, throw in a $2 nail file you can find on the site, and you can qualify for ordering a special.  How fun is that?!  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img src="https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/1908303_917906602064_986211118732715471_n.jpg" width="436" height="436" /> <br /> <br />Think about teacher gifts, graduation gifts, wedding presents {monogrammable, people!!}, and more.  We have something for nearly everyone. ;)</p> <p align="center">Anyway, if you’d like to order, shoot me an e-mail at blessedlifeblog{at}gmail{dot}com and I’ll be MORE than happy to send you my website info, how to order, etc.  <br /> <br />Anyone else out there in love with Thirty-One?!  What’s your favorite product?  Anyone out there never even heard of this company before?  I’d love to know that too!  lol! </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">{And soooo sorry to anyone out there who is awaiting my last Essential Oils post!  I’m so sorry…l didn’t mean to break my word about it being my next post on the blog.  Real life got in the way but it really is coming and I haven’t forgotten!!}</p> Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-83205028568568131022014-04-16T08:59:00.001-07:002014-04-27T17:22:34.130-07:00Thrifting It Up<div align="center">
You guys have heard me mention <strike>9,564,842 million times</strike> once or twice how much I love thrifting. It is just SO fun for me. A hobby born out of necessity…although I did grow up yard saling with my mom so maybe it’s genetic too. ;)</div>
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Anyway, I’ve recently had some awesome scores and I wanted to share them all! Because half the fun of getting great deals is sharing them, right?! </div>
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We traveled to PA this weekend for a family visit and Lindsay and I hit up a local church’s bag sale. This church does a sale twice a year and basically it is THE MOTHER OF ALL GOOD DEALS. They only charge a dollar – yes, ONE DOLLAR for anything you can shove in a paper grocery bag. It is insane. So people….may I present to you all that I found there for only TWO DOLLARS. Prepare yourselves. Hahaha ;)</div>
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First, these Madden Girl peep-toe flats!!! And they fit!!!! I mean really! </div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Sh21-ntH3Cw/U06ouksZ1RI/AAAAAAAAE_E/gnMftL4rCbU/s1600-h/IMG_1542%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1542" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IJYWIgLvZdY/U06ovWDeT3I/AAAAAAAAE_I/4exNyaowcaw/IMG_1542_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="532" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1542" width="400" /></a></div>
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2 shirts and a scarf from Gap and an American Eagle hooded shirt {I only got one pair of shoes - they just made it in the photos twice. lol}</div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BgJkBpNH6vE/U06ov5l8jZI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/aaVHGNaIsKw/s1600-h/IMG_1539%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1539" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GQ8AEtFFZPQwSORLevDBIGggnXw-IUTShdVCrhHLjMo628JqFXqs6VmwCKDmWJQ6oQYbCSXCiFnGWtQb2R0qz7r4npP4GHc71SonE9PDkf9YZrC2kCYYHHB2t5myaaHiPQbSq-_4Cmw/?imgmax=800" height="392" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1539" width="522" /></a></div>
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Pj pants from Target and Eddie Bauer, sleep shirts from Old Navy and Gap, a pink Penn State shirt and THE SOFTEST vintage sweatshirt ever. I will be living in this thing come November. ;)</div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8XKsQFTkI4k/U06oxHmiU1I/AAAAAAAAE_k/wGLBUOtKpHM/s1600-h/IMG_1538%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1538" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_6kbM7N3uK4/U06oxqyaQmI/AAAAAAAAE_s/7nn-TPKo_4s/IMG_1538_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="370" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1538" width="492" /></a></div>
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For Liv some Old Navy pjs and assorted clothes from OshKosh, Cherokee, and Children’s Place. An adorable fall shirt for Luke. And a vintage homemade elephant pillow case I seriously just could NOT pass up! </div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i2Lt5iZfWZ0/U06oyYzT0FI/AAAAAAAAE_0/wAa6QIVIZ9I/s1600-h/IMG_1540%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1540" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rFoadNZ0CNo/U06oy0ApoBI/AAAAAAAAE_4/ZhwEfdkv8jQ/IMG_1540_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="386" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1540" width="513" /></a></div>
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Wait, I’m not done!!!! ;) </div>
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S&P shakers, milk-glass mug, vintage Tupperware bowls {great for painting days for Luke!}, a Glasbake divided dish {matches a pattern I already have}, and a super awesome vintage coral ice cream scoop that works awesome for muffin batter {yup, I used it this morning!}</div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xYu5czFAj4I/U06ozsWVkJI/AAAAAAAAFAA/IRMkXB4Nn14/s1600-h/IMG_1534%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1534" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--sjI2-CtxLY/U06o0JxJbNI/AAAAAAAAFAI/CI6tSZv2ol4/IMG_1534_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="378" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1534" width="503" /></a></div>
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I also got a working fan, a cute little “lunchbox” for Livi to play with {she already loves walking around the house with it}, a big roll of butcher paper and a Nordic Ware cookie sheet {needs a good scrubbing but it is hefty!}</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZx6gdC8rVbLlzu4UHltSGc32zf1d1MQhtgY_CnEVZm7_qYkvOcD40iZtvAIulWbBzbr_WQ8dTvxorLAa7E1kDvTIbjrzvbbN0tJeByOnVCozW_jLYmcCJ-fUla2RzuQMV2I_hmEnOabM/s1600-h/IMG_1535%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1535" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-btCIym8x77Q/U06o1GxdDSI/AAAAAAAAFAc/K_rZJriyMoI/IMG_1535_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="619" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1535" width="465" /></a></div>
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So seriously…..TWO DOLLARS, you guys! Isn’t that insane?! See why it’s basically my favorite church sale everrrrr?!</div>
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Nothing can ever top that sale, really, but in the last month I’ve also had some other good finds: </div>
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This sweet little dress with bloomers was $3 at Goodwill and the metal caddy was either 49 cents or 99 cents {can’t remember}. I filled it with grass as you already saw from my Easter post. </div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p4i5jIVdSjs/U06o27B-cKI/AAAAAAAAFAg/Y7GS3AgroBY/s1600-h/IMG_1541%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1541" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zIWt81m1FyE/U06o3dE7vjI/AAAAAAAAFAs/r9JRxj67Igw/IMG_1541_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="568" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1541" width="427" /></a></div>
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I also go to a bi-annual huge kids’ consignment sale with my friend Amber and a few weeks ago I scored all of these pieces for $114 for the kids. That’s 37 items….some still with tags on! Happy dance! :) The Saturday before we went we did a yard sale and I was able to make $214…so it was all more than paid for! :)</div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mtUvN_wQCqQ/U06o4nQTLEI/AAAAAAAAFA0/9l58Awm4KuQ/s1600-h/IMG_1455%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1455" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TZoF5NcjOFo/U06o5Pa1VII/AAAAAAAAFA4/hOYqjs3AEpU/IMG_1455_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="398" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1455" width="529" /></a></div>
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I also have been loving the clearance deals at Target lately: new lampshades for my bedroom re-do were only $5.98 each {aren’t they gorgeous?!}</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJ_eIdRzTW47FFHrxs8d45QG9FI4JXQE1sWHJyQLhtzHzIoOXujL7EB_T7M1LHcU-h_OEvByEFRGizB1ye77Lc1gg3S_Acb2IkIVJIx1raYNHEYoqXbK9RQywZXTEKrSf-QJfKEmrCak/s1600-h/IMG_1435%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1435" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qdo_vDHIKJY/U06o6Jg5ZpI/AAAAAAAAFBE/35aJjJA9HX8/IMG_1435_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="460" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1435" width="460" /></a></div>
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And assorted gift supplies and a glass water bottle for me were only $5.62 for everything below! </div>
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Oh and lastly this isn’t a sale price but it’s better than most sales: these big grosgrain bows were on a huge end-cap at my local Wal-Mart in the baby aisle for ONE DOLLAR! Stock up mommas! :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPCB3Ofx8LA7LRVw698FFKw1ahGa6AIRyC5exk3rC4N-3j4NVREEqpz97JZx3CbK1O8LVy5kPVbxgVdBVNUnWXZHu0CfBDPezzvqA_es6YzXI2bZMQtxGOzkBqb8SXvWhaS_xjb6Fpy8/s1600-h/IMG_1496%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1496" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IQZmniHwgfY/U06o8QGU2SI/AAAAAAAAFBo/uou7FA-fgIk/IMG_1496_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="467" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1496" width="467" /></a></div>
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I’m so grateful to have found all these good deals to help my family out! I could never ever afford 90% of this stuff full-price but we are able to enjoy it all greatly reduced. Thank goodness I like thrifting as a hobby, right?! ;)</div>
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Linking up my fun finds with the Thrifty Treasures party over at <a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/"><span style="color: #e06666;">Southern Hospitality</span></a>! </div>
Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-23239400984709590372014-04-09T13:35:00.001-07:002014-04-09T13:35:19.832-07:00Signs of Spring {Easter Decor 2014}<p align="center">As I’m typing this on Sunday night we’ve just the most glorious spring day here in Connecticut!  I literally had shorts and a t-shirt on and Luke and I drew chalk pictures and played hopscotch outside while Chris worked on our car {Livi was sleeping inside}.  It was soooooo amazing and good for the soul to finally be out enjoying the weather and the sunshine! {Sadly I’m actually finishing this on Wednesday afternoon but it’s been gorgeous again so YAY!}</p> <p align="center">I’m still working on Part 3 for my Essential Oils series {see <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/2014/03/essential-oils-101-for-true-beginner.html"><font color="#ff80c0">Part One</font></a> and <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/2014/03/essential-oils-101-for-true-beginner_30.html"><font color="#ff80c0">Part Two</font></a> if you’re interested}, but for today I thought I’d change it up a little and show you my house for the Spring/Easter season.  If you’re new here, pretty much everything I own is thrifted or homemade. :) One thing you’ll see over and over in this post is faux “grass” from Target as filler – I use it everywhere! I always, always shop Target’s holiday clearance section and I picked some bags of this stuff up years ago for like 20 cents – or maybe even less.  I love it! </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">So here’s a peek inside! </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLshb5M-TMOFv7IT1niYjTUBWR9qpiuB7IWllpzeoPAOs7KAzVix9TjMMBl4EyrjrS8yU_Tm2vk5fR4WwGIh9Ku0OITlt3-EsZiOUbpScqWpd4JwSUOjxC18P18MHyChAmQUlEdswo9Zo/s1600-h/IMG_1487%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1487" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1487" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ajsnp8XpR3M/U0WuwrJBVgI/AAAAAAAAE7Y/ISzoCG1WIv0/IMG_1487_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="538" height="404" /></a></p> <p align="center">My Target banner <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/2012/04/what-im-loving-wednesday-home-edition.html"><font color="#ff80c0">from two years ago</font></a> that I’m still in love with! </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ceZm-eZAwCw/U0WuxGQQXlI/AAAAAAAAE7g/JEpF_4KVlaQ/s1600-h/IMG_1468%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1468" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1468" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FAhC1qSNueo/U0WuyrX9tWI/AAAAAAAAE7s/XVCih4Kd_oQ/IMG_1468_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="592" /></a>     </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gRukw2ee0_s/U0Wuzc7xMZI/AAAAAAAAE70/ihrKR9BOXpg/s1600-h/IMG_1469%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1469" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1469" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eqyUwB7KvWE/U0Wuz9gnboI/AAAAAAAAE74/Yu-H6WAioAA/IMG_1469_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="560" height="421" /></a></p> <p align="center">Bucket, Target…birdie, church rummage sale…faux plant, yard sale</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lMWrP3lnr60/U0Wu0TBDQYI/AAAAAAAAE78/_TVIbtdE68E/s1600-h/IMG_1471%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1471" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0Oy39OWhUiPTCxRmPPf5qJs5SRQtzyV2ft3hokAi-4VN9kbPZY8kP-g7Z2NVWFbRREYyrsb7TgaR6AMUcnq7KQ6vQz0swpKIja3TiDnwL8wQEr7BysrMWfLggFf-8xJ4n0FI-8A3D5E/?imgmax=800" width="487" height="648" /></a>  <br />    <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bVfE2S6OFdg/U0Wu1U8CKxI/AAAAAAAAE8Q/G6FpYDuwtSk/s1600-h/IMG_1472%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1472" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1472" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aFjB5Kw7AR8/U0Wu15prJBI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/hNkyTUyREg8/IMG_1472_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="614" /></a></p> <p align="center">Bowl and bunny, Goodwill…Easter ornaments, church rummage sale {Luke loved helping me decorate these branches!}</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nEQM40uHVzI/U0Wu2dCTcjI/AAAAAAAAE8k/7q-YFyvaIag/s1600-h/IMG_1475%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1475" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh0NvRZ9s-YR4oMvtr18BKFA0lMcDs-l5JxpL_snsHjXtSmDmdXSPpaok-UgRusa8dcybnEATcy5wbn-0VVPH7KDChRrMzDz1-09krRWcU4327nMS3dZRlMUBc6OMqTyfB-r0oURCTHw/?imgmax=800" width="503" height="668" /></a></p> <p align="center">Bunny, Goodwill…nest, yard sale</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UFK2PnZfras/U0Wu3z1-KQI/AAAAAAAAE80/Zfdhxd2hnC0/s1600-h/IMG_1498%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1498" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1498" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1v4lO7TtTYk/U0Wu4fbqbMI/AAAAAAAAE88/krKcpoZoiPA/IMG_1498_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="388" /></a></p> <p align="center">Wreath, homemade {pin made my <a href="http://www.scrappykitkat.blogspot.com"><font color="#ff80c0">very talented friend Kathy</font></a> and ribbon from Hobby Lobby}</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZN60ZKc-zC0/U0Wu5HPr0sI/AAAAAAAAE9A/TKCkLr5Ae7E/s1600-h/IMG_1499%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1499" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1499" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M8X20euBe0c/U0Wu5lJ9yQI/AAAAAAAAE9I/qJNKXP5KAy8/IMG_1499_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="482" height="642" /></a>   <br /> <br />  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I--0U7fuD5g/U0Wu6cnexOI/AAAAAAAAE9U/EEHadw4RZHY/s1600-h/IMG_1503%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1503" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1503" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hdxLVvZCFo4/U0Wu6wwd1oI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/ZtGyaf5ykYg/IMG_1503_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="517" height="389" /></a></p> <p align="center">Wire chicken, Cracker Barrel…green bowl, Goodwill Outlet…Van Gogh print Salvation Army…eggs I honestly can’t remember now!…clearanced ribbon from Michaels for the “egg” garland </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gTRGctbgE04/U0Wu7mkUZLI/AAAAAAAAE9k/DcQqNFlqh_Q/s1600-h/IMG_1501%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1501" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1501" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F0vdGo_HIgk/U0Wu8D_LM7I/AAAAAAAAE9o/FKEGq3_jjbc/IMG_1501_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="538" height="404" /></a></p> <p align="center">{Little egg designed by Luke last year in 3-year-old preschool.}</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q-MCeQfOcF0/U0Wu8rL2K2I/AAAAAAAAE90/LudyyuvCerA/s1600-h/IMG_1477%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1477" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1477" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FfAnASMIJSI/U0Wu8wR_XkI/AAAAAAAAE94/-wLQ8n4KkJ8/IMG_1477_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="517" height="389" /></a></p> <p align="center">Bunny print, homemade…grass, Target…little caddy, Goodwill</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i3gPhCocdrw/U0Wu-vyXAWI/AAAAAAAAE-E/61deGnbxA20/s1600-h/IMG_1478%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1478" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1478" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q9scXZ4p1Bg/U0Wu_MOaD5I/AAAAAAAAE-I/F9OWQSbiIMg/IMG_1478_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="673" /></a></p> <p align="center">Bucket and grass, Target</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uI6-keyC8kQ/U0Wu_s4wy0I/AAAAAAAAE-U/S-mfyAg_hUU/s1600-h/IMG_1479%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1479" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1479" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d_Hs-jZCUm4/U0WvAWD5xpI/AAAAAAAAE-c/E_tgKEgmKH8/IMG_1479_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="572" /></a></p> <p align="center">{This soap was free with a B&BW coupon and it smells SO GOOD! I haven’t had store-bought soap in forever and coconut is my FAVE! Yum!}</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bY-F3xsQEow/U0WvA_3bsqI/AAAAAAAAE-k/rlvZw_QjgZs/s1600-h/IMG_1504%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1504" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1504" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4inJsJctUe0/U0WvBkmUP_I/AAAAAAAAE-o/blIkbWIvnJY/IMG_1504_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="564" /></a></p> <p align="center">Homemade wreath {boxwood from Hobby Lobby around a JoAnn’s grapevine wreath} </p> <p align="center">I realized after uploading these photos that I missed two spots in the house...but hopefully you get the idea. Haha! <br /> <br />Thanks for popping in! ;)</p> Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-33533240250371844422014-03-30T19:07:00.001-07:002014-03-30T19:15:33.480-07:00Essential Oils 101: For the True Beginner {Part Two}<p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Welcome Back to Part Two of How to Use Essential Oils!</font></strong>  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LVD1ENuyheY/UzjNxRr5VYI/AAAAAAAAE6o/gzP5YlXSdi4/s1600-h/IMG_13384.jpg"><img title="IMG_1338" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1338" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gZujVopANX8/UzjNx24aM3I/AAAAAAAAE6w/rem3pHX1hTo/IMG_1338_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="527" height="418" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Hopefully, after reading <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/2014/03/essential-oils-101-for-true-beginner.html"><font color="#ff80c0">Part One</font></a>, you: <br /></p> <p align="center">- learned some key words to look for when purchasing your oils <br />- decided where to purchase your oils {direct sales, health food stores, or <a href="http://heritageessentialoils.com/"><font color="#ff80c0">online like I do</font></a>} <br />- decided what medical issues you’d like to tackle with them  <br /> <br />Now it’s time for {what I think is} the real nitty-gritty: HOW TO USE THEM.  Because if any of you are like me, this is the “scariest” part, right?!   It feels so daunting initially, but it’s really not complicated at all – promise. :)</p> <p align="center">It was, however, a little tricky to type out for you guys in a way that would make sense…so I decided to bite the bullet and make a movie of how to use them!  YOU GUYS.  As I mention in the short video, I DO NOT like seeing myself filmed! This is TRUE LOVE for you as my blog readers that I would take a video of myself, okay?!  Haha! I really encourage you to watch the quick 5-minute video below before you keep reading – because it will really help everything else make a whole lot more sense! :)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">{Oh and don’t even get me started on the thumbnail of my face.  Worst thumbnail ever but it wouldn’t let me change it! Haha! Humbling for sure!!}</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/L2ZQt-Ft5qg?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Points discussed in the video: </p> <p align="center">- When using your EOs topically, you can either use them <strong>neat</strong> {undiluted} or <strong>diluted </strong>{with some kind of carrier oil}.  </p> <p align="center">- My favorite carrier oil, as I mentioned in the video, is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003OGKCDC/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003OGKCDC&linkCode=as2&tag=thiblelif-20"><font color="#ff80c0">Nature’s Way Coconut Oil</font></a>.  They have several different sizes you can order, and the largest one is available for subscribe and save {Amazon ships you the oil on a regular schedule for a discounted fee – you can also get a smaller size <a href="<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003B3OOPA/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003B3OOPA&linkCode=as2&tag=thiblelif-20">Nature's Way Coconut Oil, 16 Ounce</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thiblelif-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003B3OOPA" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />"><font color="#ff80c0">Nature's Way Coconut Oil, 16 Ounce">Nature's Way Coconut Oil, 16 Ounce">Nature's Way Coconut Oil, 16 Ounce">Nature's Way Coconut Oil, 16 Ounce">here</font></a>.}  It has 609 5-star reviews! It’s a really great product.  :) {These are my Amazon Affiliate links but you can rest assured I really do love and use this coconut oil!}</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81XxKN4oqDL._SL1500_.jpg" width="225" height="284" /></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">- Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, but it has a SUPER low melting point, which means that basically by rubbing it between your fingers you’ll be able to get it to spread.  Some people prefer jojoba oil {and I’ve even used canola oil in a pinch!  haha!} but coconut oil is the preference for most oil users.  <strong>Look for organic, unrefined, highest-quality coconut oil</strong>.  </p> <p align="center">- As a rule of thumb, <strong>always dilute oils with children</strong> – and especially if an oil is considered “hot.”  {Oils with cinnamon in them, for instance, can irritate those with sensitive skin and should always be diluted – and some would say that hot oils should never be used on young children at all.}   It’s a smart idea to dilute an oil, even as an adult and even if it’s a mild oil, the first time you use it, just to make sure you don’t have a reaction to it.  </p> <p align="center">- Pretty much any area of the body is okay for using oils topically – but oils should <strong>NEVER BE USED IN THE EYES OR EARS.</strong> </p> <p align="center">- When I want to use my oils, I’ll just get a drop or two of oil out of my bottle, and combine it together in my hand with a dab of coconut oil.  Then I apply it where I need to.  This is because, as I mentioned in the video, I know my skin is not sensitive to them.  Start with a large amount of carrier oil when you are first starting out! </p> <p align="center">The most popular/common place to put oils are on the bottoms of the feet.  The feet, surprisingly enough, are a great place to put oils because there are a crazy number of pores that will help the oil absorb pretty rapidly into the body.  </p> <p align="center">{I found this picture via a group I’m in on Facebook.  I am still learning about “vita flex” points – but basically they are points on the feet that correlate to other parts of the body and you can use them to help heal and assist other bodily ailments.  Right now I just rub oils on the bottom of my feet without paying attention to the specific vita flex points. I do this with oils that work preventatively to prevent colds and sickness, and oils that help reduce fevers and fight infections if we do get sick.}</p> <p align="center">  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MHTDqq_BzsU/UzjNywhKoXI/AAAAAAAAE64/R8OZczcc2qk/s1600-h/IMG_13245.png"><img title="IMG_1324" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPrq4yHSA14drW2pNaWGO-2xzCuCUS-3jYLQ5JNesa1wTVHd4airrfZVccG0ZauuA7LHgPNLHL-LyGyf72k4zE5I1aHVqjG2m4EY7YqmLbGDvPVqsww8H-e4UQ0ftr1bFm9Cc3bHOXac/?imgmax=800" width="494" height="618" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Besides topically, you can also use oils orally, diffused {inhaled} or even rectally for certain issues {using a capsule}.  Topical use is the most common use, which is why I dedicated this entire blog post to it.  I may have to expand this series to a Part 4 to cover the extra uses! :)</p> <p align="center">I highly recommend <a href="http://heritageessentialoils.com/usage.php"><font color="#ff80c0">reading this information about essential oils</font></a> on the Heritage Essential Oils page {the company I use}.  Lots of great additional information to be found there, including a helpful chart that breaks down dilution levels for children! </p> <p align="center">My goal is for you to feel empowered and educated…so if after reading this post you feel lost and confused {lol!!} PLEASE feel free to ask me a question in the comments! Okay? :) </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><em>Disclaimer:</em> <br /><em>*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.*</em></p> Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-23893078280646932612014-03-17T04:56:00.001-07:002014-03-17T04:56:23.279-07:00Essential Oils 101: For the True Beginner {Part One}<p align="center">If you’re like me, you’ve likely heard about essential oils once or twice <strike>or a million times</strike> thanks to Pinterest and some of your favorite blogs.  Maybe your curiosity has been piqued…maybe you’ve pinned a couple posts about it…maybe you’ve read some pretty convincing stories of how they can heal…but you literally have no clue where to start with it all.  You have the desire to begin, but no idea how to take that <em>first </em>step.  That was me last Spring…a total believer but still not a drop of essential oils to be found in my house, because I was way too overwhelmed and confused about where to start. Then one day last May, I got a cold during Livi’s post-surgery recovery period and was terrified I’d get her sick and send her back to the hospital.  My friend Tami showed up at my doorstep with a bunch of different oils one day.  I took notes, started using them, got better, Livi never got sick….and the rest is history. ;)  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J4cnrw1VP1Q/Uybi0uINF7I/AAAAAAAAE5Y/EEJa1_oz0ik/s1600-h/IMG_13384.jpg"><img title="IMG_1338" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1338" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8VooOMscbY8/Uybi1Z8vm3I/AAAAAAAAE5g/wic4LAh--T0/IMG_1338_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="567" height="450" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong>If you’re feeling right now like I did last Spring,</strong> <strong>this is your lucky day…because I’m writing the post I wish *I* had been able to find a year ago!  :)</strong> In the last ten months, since I’ve been using essential oils on a consistent basis, I’ve had lots of friends ask me how I got started and to teach them what I know…so I decided to type it all out here to hopefully help some of you as well!  </p> <p align="center">I’m going to do a small mini-series about how to start using these miraculous oils.  My goal is that you will leave these posts feeling empowered and confident that YOU can start using essential oils, too.  </p> <p align="center"><em>Preface: In a {HUGE} nutshell, everyone’s body gives off electrical charges.  When you are sick, the “power” of your body’s electricity decreases.  Essential oils work by “righting” your body’s natural electrical state and by bringing it back to normal, healthy levels. Crazy, but true!</em></p> <p align="center">Okay, so, let’s get started!  </p> <p align="center">---------------------------------------------</p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#666666" size="4"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#666666" size="4">Step One: Know what descriptive words and qualities to look for, so you can feel empowered to make the right choices and get your money’s worth!</font></strong></p> <p align="center">All oils are most definitely NOT created equal!  When looking for oils to use for medicinal purposes, it is super important to look for words and phrases such as: </p> <p align="center">- suitable for medicinal use <br />- pure and unadulterated {aka “authentic”} <br />- quality is safe for internal use <br />- highest quality <br />-obtained from plants grown organically <br />- GC/MS analyzed {this means the oils have been tested in a laboratory to certify their high quality}</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n-prFRYI-Pw/Uybi172Ss6I/AAAAAAAAE5o/72I7-zQQCBM/s1600-h/IMG_13505.jpg"><img title="IMG_1350" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1350" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Vv2dtwMFsHA/Uybi2j_3eCI/AAAAAAAAE5s/RwV6V8b4V04/IMG_1350_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="629" /></a></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">People use oils for aromatherapy and for the enjoyable “smell factor” as well.  That’s great, but those are NOT the kind of oils you want if you’re going to heal your family!  You want ones that are verified to be safe {we’ll get to more of that below}.  Granted, oils are not currently FDA-approved, but we all know it takes the government a long time to jump on the bandwagon for certain healthy things, don’t we?! ;)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mbgpPaChvZ4/Uybi3HqcXgI/AAAAAAAAE54/eIS6a1x79HY/s1600-h/IMG_13515.jpg"><img title="IMG_1351" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1351" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Hs3RVzDvzFU/Uybi35Q5xRI/AAAAAAAAE58/eN1pxdBSQqQ/IMG_1351_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="597" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Another important thing to look for: oils in a dark bottle.  I would never trust an essential oil that comes in a clear bottle or container!  Oils are very light-sensitive {keep them in a cool, dry place, out of sunlight} and any essential oil company worth its salt will know that!  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RVnZdslZyJk/Uybi4XafeoI/AAAAAAAAE6E/UYbKLfIvJrk/s1600-h/IMG_13494.jpg"><img title="IMG_1349" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1349" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RrhYQkwXMjU/Uybi4yQn6iI/AAAAAAAAE6M/jsMyutTpOQg/IMG_1349_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="476" /></a></p> <p align="center">I made this mistake once and won’t make it again!   </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Speaking of oil companies….</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#666666" size="4">Step 2: Choose how and where you will purchase your essential oils from: find a system that works well for you.</font></strong> </p> <p align="center">There are a couple of different ways you can go with this: </p> <p align="center">a} Use a direct-sales company, like doTerra or Young Living.  Those are the most popular essential oil companies that I know of.  When you use these types of companies, you have a consultant/distributor that orders your oils for you, and the perk is that the individual is {or should be!} knowledgeable about how to use the oils and can give you tips and advice.  </p> <p align="center">b} Use a health- or natural-foods store.  Most health-food stores seem to carry essential oils nowadays, and the perk of this is that they are available anytime you want to purchase them, and the price-point is usually pretty low.  </p> <p align="center">c} Use an online company that doesn’t use a direct-sales model, like <a href="http://heritageessentialoils.com/"><font color="#ff80c0">Heritage Essential oils {the amazing company I use and love}.</font></a>  Here’s what I love about using a company like Heritage: </p> <p align="center">          - You don’t have to wait or depend on a consultant to place an order for you.  When I want my oils, I get online, order it myself, and it comes quickly.  I love not waiting on someone else, especially when there’s a particular medical issue I want to start working on.  </p> <p align="center">          -  The price is amazing.  I’m not paying for the product in addition to paying the salary of the sales representative.  {I have absolutely no beef with direct-sales companies whatsoever!  I used to work for one and I’m considering another in the future.  But when it comes to my medicine, I like feeling like I have access to what I need in a straightforward way.  I don’t want to have a middle-man in this case.  For Pampered Chef? Sure.  But not with my oils.  But again, PERSONAL preference!!! I know many people become a “consultant” with an oil company to earn discounts for themselves and their families…and I think that’s great! If I hadn’t fallen in love with Heritage, I probably would have done something like that to cut down on my costs.}</p> <p align="center">          -  The oils are both organic and therapeutic grade, and the company stands behind its promises!  I can see their commitment to quality all over their website, articles, and Facebook page…something I don’t have access to if I’m purchasing oils off a shelf in a natural-foods store.  </p> <p align="center">          - The support is amazing.  Heritage has a closed Facebook group {open to anyone who buys Heritage oils!} that is basically a big open forum where you can ask anything and everything about essential oils {EOs from here on out to save my fingers a little typing!}.  The founder, Linda, is amazingly helpful and owns the company with her family.  She will frequently comment on the posts herself, offering advice and prayers. {Side note: This is a company owned by a Christian family! Which you know makes my heart so happy!}</p> <p align="center">          - The option to buy oils in multiple sizes.  This is one of the things I LOVE the most about this company!! Every oil they offer comes in sample sizes {in addition to larger options – see my top photo in this post!}.  You’re not stuck with a $40 bottle of something that may or may not work for you.  The sample sizes are generally between $4-6 each, and last for quite a while themselves.  This is a great option for testing out oils to find your favorites before feeling confident to order a larger size! </p> <p align="center">I could really go on and on about Heritage.  They’re where I purchase all my EOs and they get my vote for sure {nope, I’m not an affiliate in any way…just a very happy, satisfied customer!}.</p> <p align="center">Okay, so once you’ve done a little research into what method of buying EOs works best for you, it’s time to move to the next step…</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#666666" size="4">Step 3: Determine what medical problems or issues you’d like to treat with EOs.</font></strong>  <br /></p> <p align="center">There is literally {LITERALLY!!} an EO for everything under the sun.  Whether you want preventative oils {like the EO equivalent of taking a vitamin} or something to treat a specific illness, there is something out there that can help you!</p> <p align="center">Do you…</p> <p align="center">- have trouble sleeping?  <br />- suffer from digestion and tummy troubles? <br />- have severe PMS? <br />- struggle with depression? <br />- suffer from severe headaches or migraines? <br />- want a natural cold remedy? <br />- want to help your child focus in school? <br />- want something that will help you stay sickness-free and boost your immune system? </p> <p align="center">Take some time to make out a list of what issues you are hoping to treat.  Prioritize them if money is an issue, and start with your most pressing medical issues.  </p> <p align="center">Okay, that was a long enough post for today!  In Part 2 we’ll explore how to actually <em>use</em> the oils once you’ve decided what to purchase! And in Part 3 I’ll discuss my favorite oils – the ones my family can’t live without anymore!  <br /></p> <p align="center">PLEASE feel free to ask any questions you have and I’ll do my best to answer!  I’ll respond to questions right here in the comments. :)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">Disclaimer:</font></em> <br /><em><font size="2">*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.*</font></em></p> Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-48483553747686165082014-03-10T08:41:00.001-07:002014-03-15T17:41:07.688-07:00Pretzelz & Pigtailz {A Giveaway!}<div align="center">
<i>Edit: This giveaway is now over....and the winner is: JESSICA LYNN IRWIN! I apologize to anyone who might have checked here today thinking they'd see who won...I posted it to <span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/This-Blessed-Life/365817853424">my blog's Facebook page</a> </span>and totally forgot to post it here too for those without Facebook! Oops - sorry guys!! If anyone would still like to purchase one of these precious necklaces, mention This Blessed Life when ordering for FREE SHIPPING from <span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PretzelzandPigtailz">Pretzelz & Pigtailz</a> </span>now through Monday, March 17th. Thanks so much to all who entered! </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1UEIaeS_q0065VEOjapczgptDgssjVx14X8x2SHsuFm6FxA6gTcfsLT2M3Vdf7-gONP8-LQkvVr0eAkYsI5W-PxC3hIjE8Ve9tFLd0KiJM3MDm5w0H7ePDaz212wVg6GgXPFl-BG0GM/s1600/Giveaway+Winner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1UEIaeS_q0065VEOjapczgptDgssjVx14X8x2SHsuFm6FxA6gTcfsLT2M3Vdf7-gONP8-LQkvVr0eAkYsI5W-PxC3hIjE8Ve9tFLd0KiJM3MDm5w0H7ePDaz212wVg6GgXPFl-BG0GM/s1600/Giveaway+Winner.png" height="274" width="320" /></a></div>
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OHHH I am just giddy with excitement over this giveaway! Today I am happy to introduce my friend Callie and her brand-new business, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PretzelzandPigtailz"><span style="color: #ff80c0;">Pretzelz and Pigtailz</span></a>. Callie is a successful business owner already, and she has just ventured out into this new {and I’m sure to be wildly popular!} venture of children’s jewelry. She makes THE MOST adorable necklaces {called “bubblegum necklaces”} for girls and I pretty much want one of *everything* for Miss Olivia! </div>
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Check out some of her adorable creations! </div>
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How about this sweet one, “Purple Plush,” for a little girl who loves glitter and flowers: </div>
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Or this one, “Over the Rainbow,” for a girl who loves COLOR in her life: <br />
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Or this precious one, perfect for springtime, called “Butterfly in the Sky:” <br />
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Or this sweet little one, perfect for warm weather accessorizing: </div>
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And if you have a little girl obsessed with a certain character or movie {can you say “FROZEN?”} she has sweet little charms from several different shows and movies that she creates, as well {Frozen necklaces will be available for purchase soon – follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PretzelzandPigtailz"><span style="color: #ff80c0;">Pretzelz & Pigtailz</span></a> on Facebook to know when they’ll be available!}. </div>
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<img alt="Photo: Oops forgot a few others here are all the charms there are 15 styles total to choose from :)" height="684" src="https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1.0-9/p403x403/1901621_531688396946238_1787243262_n.jpg" width="513" /></div>
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Anyone have a little girl currently obsessed with Doc McStuffins?! <br />
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Or in love with Minnie Mouse? <br />
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This is just a *sampling* of her adorable work – she has lots more to choose from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PretzelzandPigtailz"><span style="color: #ff80c0;">on her Facebook page</span></a>! </div>
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Callie is also happy to do custom creations if you are looking for specific colors. However, she is currently expecting and close to delivery {yay!} so custom orders are on hold and will resume once her little one enters the world and she has time to adjust to her new life as a mom of three! :) {She will continue to ship orders in the next few months, just not custom orders.} </div>
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All Pretzelz & Pigtailz necklaces are on adjustable chains. The 18 inch necklaces can be adjusted down to 14 inches, and the 22 inch ones can be adjusted down to 18 inches. This really makes them so versatile, and suitable for toddlers and older girls, as well. </div>
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<em>One important thing to note: Pretzelz & Pigtailz has an ever-rotating inventory…so if you see a necklace you like, snatch it up because Callie likes to keep things fresh and exciting! :)</em></div>
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I’ve never made it a secret on here that I’m a girl on a budget, and all of her necklaces are only $15, which is SUCH a great price-point! {Frozen necklaces, when available, will be $18 – still an amazing price for such a popular item!} These are absolutely the perfect gift for a daughter, grand-daughter, niece, god-daughter, you name it! I guarantee that you will bring a *huge* smile to a precious little girl’s face when you gift one of these! :)</div>
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Okay, so how do YOU win one?! Follow the easy steps below on Rafflecopter…the more you do, the better your chances, starting with visiting <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PretzelzandPigtailz"><span style="color: #ff80c0;">Pretzelz & Pigtailz on Facebook</span></a>! </div>
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<strong>Winner will receive one necklace of their choice: a $15 value, including free shipping!! {Frozen necklaces are not included at this time.}</strong></div>
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Giveaway ends Friday, March 14th, at midnight. Winner will be announced on Saturday morning, March 15th! </div>
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Good luck! :)</div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3d20564/" id="rc-3d20564" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script> Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-67041966791701576192014-03-05T11:30:00.001-08:002014-03-05T11:40:19.374-08:00Cinnamon Carrot Muffins<p align="center">WOW it’s been such a long time since I posted a recipe!  “Chatting” with a friend today on Facebook reminded me of how far I’ve come with this clean-eating/whole foods journey.  Back in 2010, when I started, I was a total newbie out to change two products a month in my pantry to the cleaner version.  I gave myself a 5-year goal.  LOL! It’s insane how fast and furious the whole food revolution has come.  Back in 2010, what I was doing was new, different, and out-of-the-ordinary.  Now most people understand {even if not always perfectly implemented} how to eat “clean” – which is AWESOME! </p> <p align="center">There is a huge spectrum of clean/healthy/whole foods eating, and I am definitely not at the most extreme end.  There are many people eating both a lot better and a lot worse than I do.  I mostly aim to eat whole foods and organic when I can afford it.  This is what works for our family! Wherever YOU are on the journey, just keep educating yourself and aiming to make better and better choices as the months and years go on.  Any gains you make in this area are positive!  {For my recipes, click <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/search/label/In%20the%20Kitchen"><font color="#ff80c0">here</font></a>.  For my <font color="#333333">Clean Eating posts and journey {including almost all of my recipes}</font>, click <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/search/label/Clean%20Foods%20Journey"><font color="#ff80c0">here</font></a>.}</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Anyway, on to this yummy recipe! </p> <p align="center">The great thing about carrots is that they are relatively cheap {even organic carrots!} and they keep for a long time when compared to many other vegetables.  With spring arriving soon, I thought I’d share these muffins.  How fun would they be for a little Easter brunch or Springtime party? Really, they’re great year-round.  They have been a big hit in our family! They’re a great snack for toddlers, too, since the carrots mostly dissolve – leaving a soft muffin that has some great vegetable nutrition in it! I love that they are simple and *just* sweet enough.  I like mine sliced open with a little butter but they are really nice as-is, too.  :)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iCZwiKS_A30/Uxd7ZBNk-YI/AAAAAAAAE4k/c8fZTwjEXz8/s1600-h/IMG_1156%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1156" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1156" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u5wQcdqDvt8/Uxd7aB89ZlI/AAAAAAAAE4s/YksMyq567kI/IMG_1156_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" height="633" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>Cinnamon Carrot Muffins</strong></font> <br />{Adapted from <em>Whole Living</em> Magazine, April 2011}</p> <p align="center"> <br /><em>Dry ingredients:</em> <br />1 1/4 C white whole wheat flour  {I like King Arthur brand!} <br />2 T ground flax seed <br />1 tsp ground cinnamon <br />1 tsp baking powder <br />1/2 tsp baking soda <br />1/8 tsp salt</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><em>Wet ingredients:</em> <br />1/3 C vegetable oil {I like Spectrum brand organic canola at Target} <br />1/3 C buttermilk **don’t worry – you can make your own below! <br />2 large eggs <br />3/4 C unpacked light brown sugar or turbinado sugar {I’ve done both} <br />1 C finely grated carrots {maybe 3 or 4 depending on size} <br />1/4 C water </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Preheat oven to 350.  Grease a 12-muffin tin with cooking spray. <br /> <br />Whisk dry ingredients in a bowl.  </p> <p align="center">Whisk wet ingredients in a separate bowl. <br /> <br />Fold dry ingredients into wet and mix until just combined. <br /> <br />Spoon batter into muffin cups.  <br /> <br />Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 20-22 minutes depending on your oven.  Cool in pan slightly then transfer to wire rack.  </p> <p align="center">Enjoy!!  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">**You can always easily make your own buttermilk by using milk and white vinegar.  Put 1 T of vinegar into a measuring cup, then fill with milk up to the 1 C line.  Stir and then wait a minute or two for it to sour the milk.  So for this recipe, use 1 tsp of white vinegar, fill with milk to the 1/3 C line, stir and wait a moment before using in the recipe.  </p> Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-46227791610361740092014-03-02T12:31:00.001-08:002014-03-02T12:31:05.804-08:00No-Spend Month {Round 2}: Week 4<p align="center">It’s MARCH and I can spend MONEY again!! Ohhhh happiness!!  :)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Uet0rRqv5kc/UxOU8HjIqzI/AAAAAAAAE28/ZV0Njl5ZNLM/s1600-h/No-Spend%252520Month%252520%25257BFebruary%2525202014%25257D%252520012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="No-Spend Month {February 2014} 012" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="No-Spend Month {February 2014} 012" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pqMoOjVktXTpZ17X5JXmKeFg5XTRyGiX8-LVigV_WYBLl12H03fEOLmKeA2gUWCwU7dyQsRq7Rc4KC9l0LgVtSzsOyy1b8n2aFM072LK9kIf_DpTlPKUXNLO8jioshhyG03GINc91po/?imgmax=800" width="499" height="375" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Honest to goodness, I really and truly don’t spend that much “fun” money on a monthly basis.  We keep a really tight budget normally…but there’s something about knowing you can’t spend *any* money for a while that suddenly makes you want to spend it…know what I mean?  </p> <p align="center">This whole month was a great exercise in <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/2014/01/my-word-for-2014and-what-im-planning-to.html"><font color="#ff80c0">discipline</font></a> and so, so good for me spiritually.  So many of the things I wanted to spend money on – while really good, quality things, and mostly for my house and my family…are things I didn’t <em>really</em> need (obviously, because we only paid for the true necessities this month and we survived just fine).  </p> <p align="center">It also was a good exercise in *delayed* gratification…you know, the exact opposite of what our culture preaches.  Knowing that you can having something <em>someday</em>, <em>but just</em> <em>not right now</em>, is extremely hard as an American {sad, but unfortunately very true}.  </p> <p align="center">Delaying or going without also forces creativity and frugality…and makes you appreciate what you do have SO much more!  That whole phrase, “necessity is the mother of invention?”  Totally true of no-spending month, too.  :)</p> <p align="center">This will definitely be something we continue in the future, especially as our children get older.  I can see it opening up SO many valuable conversations about wants vs. needs, waiting and saving for things we really want, having financial goals, and talking about the physical abundance we have here in America.  </p> <p align="center">So yes…down to the nitty gritty.  My husband has asked that I not share specific financial details about what we were able to accomplish this month, and so of course out of my immense respect for him I’m not going to share that here.  But…good, positive financial things were accomplished.  :)</p> <p align="center">Basically? We are <em>smiling</em>, not <em>crying</em>, at the end of these <strike>long</strike> short four weeks of February. And that, my friends, is a very good thing! </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Of course, I am only human and now that it’s March and my {very small} monthly “fun money” budget is restored, OF COURSE I went out and went shopping!  I showed lots of restraint but it was so nice to be able to browse Target clearance racks again without whizzing by them and trying to convince myself they didn’t really exist! ;)</p> <p align="center">I picked up two pumpkin tea towels for 88 cents each {you guys, the fall obsession is VERY REAL here! lol}, this adorable little pot for $1 {total Ikea hack! Can’t wait to put a cute little potted plant in it <strike>and watch it die because I kill anything green</strike>} and this GORGEOUS calendar I have hanging from my bulletin board {I needed a new one and this one was only $2.98! yay!}.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fL9uQZmwP1k/UxOU9PxgwsI/AAAAAAAAE3M/jBUraGpRQXo/s1600-h/IMG_1261%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1261" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1261" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gQ9bI9V1IWQ/UxOU9hAdyhI/AAAAAAAAE3U/7T0HgAyT6pA/IMG_1261_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="318" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pZsIFo9vvqI/UxOU-GEgOfI/AAAAAAAAE3c/XG7T6XUNago/s1600-h/IMG_1262%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1262" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1262" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JB4SQQvWnXo/UxOU-oba68I/AAAAAAAAE3g/s7hdWgFx81M/IMG_1262_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">My mom and I also took a little trip to some antique/consignment stores yesterday.  I found this little weathered bird for $4 {love!!}, a vintage wooden rolling pin for $3 {I’ve been looking for a while so this was super exciting!} and some clear glass Pyrex for 50 cents and $1.   All the colored Pyrex was either really damaged and scratched or very overpriced…so unfortunately no fun, colorful pieces came home with me…but that’s okay.  :)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XfOUdWzrs30/UxOU_IqOasI/AAAAAAAAE3s/Jlp-wgPXBks/s1600-h/IMG_1266%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1266" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1266" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CCDIs9Xz_9A/UxOU_sKtQVI/AAAAAAAAE3w/16DPkeHquuI/IMG_1266_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="328" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ywmk7uQNjgQ/UxOVANC-aaI/AAAAAAAAE38/Y3pLJIqj3Rg/s1600-h/IMG_1268%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1268" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1268" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uIpvb9soUc4/UxOVAsODdyI/AAAAAAAAE4A/ygijyYHGJm0/IMG_1268_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="452" height="340" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">And if you follow me on Instagram {I’m blessedlifeblog and I’m private but only because I like having the option to look at your info and make sure you’re not an axe murderer first! haha!} you know that yesterday Luke and I were able to go on a “date.” He’s been asking for a week, ever since Chris and I went out, and we went to Panera for a cookie, then Toys R US to spend some Christmas money on a Toy Story alien he’s been wanting, then Goodwill and found a Toy Story Memory game for 99 cents.  We had such a fun time giggling and being silly and pulling all the strings of the toys and buttons in the Toy Story aisle.  It’s amazing what a wonderful day can be had and cherished for only $3! :)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CBxdHmzyPEs/UxOVBH1WCTI/AAAAAAAAE4M/vrgXD5R6ZKU/s1600-h/IMG_1250%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1250" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FhHnTYEI1imU5VFDTNp__kbJNiOsRUnqKopIuUc2SdfPWuZf16E07QHVXnIwo0WOkfZNSygQ_JqNoyEjT9c_oXXkAD4j0ptYF4_Dwph5dGDgOb5uhB_CvYB2lvYTPrSC01Zr3PVrc0A/?imgmax=800" width="493" height="493" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Unfortunately, this is a *terrible* time of year to sell kids’ clothes {at least here in CT}.  Nobody is buying winter OR summer right now and so I didn’t have as much luck as I was hoping for.  My balance at the consignment shop is a measly $5 after four whole weeks!  LOL!  I will still work on selling old kids’ clothes as we get closer to spring.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Recap: </p> <p align="center">Grocery budget: Stayed on budget!  I had ONE dollar left.  lol</p> <p align="center">Consignment Fund: $63 {wanted to hit $100 but I will be able to sell summer stuff more successfully when the weather gets a little warmer}. </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong>Bottom line: we WILL do this again next year…and you should too!  Only positives…no regrets.  :)</strong></p> <p align="center">Thanks for following along on my journey! </p> Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-53644239788120495752014-02-24T10:52:00.001-08:002014-02-24T10:52:25.283-08:00Quiet.<p align="center">Luke is at preschool and Livi has been napping and my house is so. quiet. </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pHDVkcfq1Xk/UwuU5bcqfoI/AAAAAAAAE2g/TSWmfqcgw7Q/s1600-h/IMG_1206%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1206" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1206" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZZdnYad-KSY/UwuU57OEK6I/AAAAAAAAE2o/VHpEce52eTY/IMG_1206_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="565" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">It is blissful...I can’t lie.  I just made a delicious salad and quietly sat and read my favorite blogs while I ate lunch.  I can actually *hear* the refrigerator humming right now…imagine that?!   </p> <p align="center">My days {and nights!} are so long and very loud and chaotic with a toddler into everything and walking all around the house and a very precious active little boy who has more energy than…I don’t know what. </p> <p align="center">So for right now…I SO enjoy the peace when it comes unexpectedly. </p> <p align="center">But I think the <em>true </em>reason I enjoy the peace so much is because it’s such a contrast to the loudness and the noisiness of my kiddos when they’re awake and around me. </p> <p align="center">So much of life can be appreciated because it is <em>The Opposite</em>, you know? You appreciate your health so much more after you’ve just gotten over a cold….you appreciate dinner so much more when someone else has made it for you…you appreciate an anonymous gift of $10 so much more when you’re on a month of not spending {yes, that just happened to us.} </p> <p align="center">And it just occurred to me that someday all the noise will be gone and my precious kids will be grown up and won’t need me in the every moment like they do right now. </p> <p align="center">So thank you, Jesus, for the chance to raise these precious kids. </p> <p align="center">And thank you for the blessed noise and the blessed gift of quiet when it comes.  </p> <p align="center">They’re both gifts in different forms, after all.  </p> Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-21923798357272797852014-02-23T11:39:00.001-08:002014-02-23T11:39:05.694-08:00No-Spend Month {Round 2}: Week 3 Check-In<p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dBm0Ru43Iu0/UwpOQLUMilI/AAAAAAAAE0o/3-na3hi_2lE/s1600-h/No-Spend%252520Month%252520%25257BFebruary%2525202014%25257D%252520012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="No-Spend Month {February 2014} 012" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="No-Spend Month {February 2014} 012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AVDQh7X-_6c/UwpOQogA4yI/AAAAAAAAE0s/qmegPZNf9Hk/No-Spend%252520Month%252520%25257BFebruary%2525202014%25257D%252520012_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="492" height="370" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">IS IT MARCH YET?!!! Hahaha kidding….<font size="1">sorta</font>. </p> <p align="center">I have to be honest, this week was made a LOT easier by some gift cards and birthday/Christmas gifts that finally arrived.  Meaning…it *felt* like I got to spend money but I really didn’t.  Ummm…love it when that happens! :)</p> <p align="center">After a super long wait and lots of issues with getting lost in the mail, I finally got two monogrammed items I’d bought back in December and January with birthday and Christmas money: a monogrammed straw drinking tumbler and my custom Otterbox case for my phone.  Hooray!  I am in LOVE with them! <br /></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6rbLeh1H4rw/UwpORL6e3VI/AAAAAAAAE04/ch6aWxHjZOo/s1600-h/IMG_1175%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1175" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1175" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ExHT3fGi50k/UwpORWqRm0I/AAAAAAAAE08/m4LzcbLSzSE/IMG_1175_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="497" height="497" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I also mentioned last week that I’d bought a Thirty-One bag for Olivia for use as a diaper bag because it was such a great deal this month I couldn’t pass it up.  How cute is this?!  {It’s the new zip-top organizing utility tote.} I love that she can use it on our road trips to PA long after she’s outgrown the need for a diaper bag.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgIHs_n077WT54epXOGz3HRMyjeLeAq5cXWU72ErbuGi8RNp10GilBwoFNidhAdEy6MfoA0QHJZ8TxJfnCB7wrM4sfWP6XmXg9eZb23zM6K9Axc9vXV9nN4CjMY7CzlVLdMwjfphZVT4/s1600-h/IMG_1204%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1204" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1204" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g7wlJFTl15c/UwpOSUa78KI/AAAAAAAAE1M/gMDmDjDxFLM/IMG_1204_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="517" height="389" /></a></p> <p align="center">To pay for it I sold a print from Kohl’s I’d bought for our room but never used {$8), $5 worth of Luke’s old clothes, and used $5 of a PayPal refund I received after my tumbler got lost in the mail and the seller very kindly refunded me shipping costs.  Love that I have a brand new bag for Liv and it didn’t cost my family anything! :)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">We also finally got to use our Christmas gift from my in-laws: a Cheesecake Factory gift card!  We meant to go last week for Valentine’s but we got snowed out so we went up this week.  We had a great time {KID FREE, HALLELUJAH!} and spent some time eating and then walking around the mall a little bit.  Although we did get stuck in about 30 minutes of traffic on the way up, which was a little depressing…apparently this blurry selfie in bumper-to-bumper traffic is how we feel about being stuck in the car when we’re hungry.  lol</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTwdX1yXokT4tBgw_Qt3cULo61OqVKcpyib0eO3YtiVfdsg62nFo68p1gu412e1zMJlSPccIRVxmBL_ung4qla1digmAuuH2tNEs4xqG8z5zIqOXRl3leOG8ca1leb9dpx_TEaPfbJvg/s1600-h/IMG_1196%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1196" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1196" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kcKevDuis0c/UwpOTQ02iGI/AAAAAAAAE1c/tk4gXbCrtYA/IMG_1196_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="479" height="360" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I also used a gift card to Francesca’s I’d had in my purse for over a year!  I love that store but it is so hard to get in there with kids so I never get a chance to pop in alone.  I had  bought jewelry for a friend’s wedding and didn’t love it and got merchandise credit forever ago.  I got this beautiful scarf and yes, a fall print.  In February. And no, it wasn’t even on clearance!!  Do you guys understand my<em> obsession</em> with the fall now?!  LOL But how could I pass it up for “free?”  I mean…it has orange, polka dots, and fall words.  I mean really. ;)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q9LWZSgLFUE/UwpOT5dLQKI/AAAAAAAAE1o/ejygmyq_VDA/s1600-h/IMG_1201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1201" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1201" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CoeETE_L9bg/UwpOUYJGFXI/AAAAAAAAE1s/9WwqCoKMMfE/IMG_1201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="488" height="367" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I also managed to stay in the grocery budget {whoo hoo!}.  usually I take out cash but last week I didn’t have the chance to go to the bank….so we just kept a careful tally of the grocery budget on the debit card.  I could have sworn Chris told me I had $6.97 left for the week, and when I did a desperate grocery run on Wednesday I was so excited I literally took a photo of my self-checkout screen…only to find out from him later that we actually only had $6.93 left….so technically I *did* go over by three cents.  HAHA!  Oh well! </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MEW0O2rC1oY/UwpOUsaqA3I/AAAAAAAAE14/5oPVn_bPOaE/s1600-h/IMG_1172%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1172" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1172" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gOV4DQ6CzR4/UwpOVLhlm3I/AAAAAAAAE2A/W5TTtYbDLws/IMG_1172_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="464" height="617" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Oh and while I was there I happened to run into Katie – our families went to the same church when we were kids and she happens to read my blog now.  She stopped me in the store and gave me this Starbucks card since she had some money left on it and knows from reading my blog how much I love me some Starbucks!  Thanks again, Katie!!!  See, apparently it pays to mention once or twice <strike>or a hundred times</strike> the things you’re obsessed with on your blog! ;)</p> <p align="center">I immediately went home and transferred it to my gold card so I can keep earning rewards on it.  So fun!!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bd83mQZOoUs/UwpOVgN-4II/AAAAAAAAE2I/Djdy362C9RY/s1600-h/IMG_1203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1203" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkKES3tR6-RAXUfhN7I1YL79bt-f2qVMIoM8fQYjIgIXeRwhGttASM7hRcI9qxDGXlWrNyS11FwfBZUUnAFIBOZqAd76D6tqsnNeTJ85MKFpWBm6wpCXboE8aB4muYtjUqZaTmIu2qC4/?imgmax=800" width="422" height="562" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I haven’t had much luck selling kids’ clothes on Facebook {I think because we’re in a weird month of the year where nobody’s really buying summer or winter right now.}  So the kids’ Consignment Fund tally is still the same…but I’m hoping after I call the shop next week they’ll tell me I’ve earned some money over the month! </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Recap: </p> <p align="center">Grocery/Household budget: – $.03 {Does that really even count?!} <br />Consignment Fund tally: $58 {$42 left to fund}</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong>ONE MORE WEEK!  I CAN DO THIS!!! :)</strong></p> Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-65914288152391993962014-02-15T18:46:00.001-08:002014-02-15T18:46:27.675-08:00No-Spend Month {Round 2}: Week 2 Check-In<p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-86yyoXuG8k0/UwAmZhxf7LI/AAAAAAAAEy8/UqJiCvD3-7c/s1600-h/No-Spend%252520Month%252520%25257BFebruary%2525202014%25257D%252520012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="No-Spend Month {February 2014} 012" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="No-Spend Month {February 2014} 012" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaHKtvqUU9q2x32OEz1Oh6ByMMC51Imcu-_jEXfKmLMUb8GdNu8_B9veAZOVy2Pdd5DhTmbm1UZlDU7AemHb62Mx2QQYNplgv1TgaPgScsAWcbZAKMZp3TxA8mgfr0wJfl0aAEunsTds/?imgmax=800" width="534" height="402" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Chris and I had plans all set to go out tonight {with gift cards!!} to the Cheesecake Factory for our Valentine's date….instead we are snowed in with yet another (!!!!) blizzard and I’m writing a blog post in my jammies instead.  Oh, life! lol! <br /> <br />Anyway, this week went pretty good but I did go a *little* bit over my cash grocery/household allowance {oops!!}. I’ll explain why in a minute.  </p> <p align="center">Last Saturday I had some Hobby Lobby returns from Livi’s party and since Trader Joe’s is right across the street, we took a family trip up there.  I LOVE Trader Joe’s but since it’s a solid hour from my house I don’t get to go up there very often.  This week I tried some new foods thanks to suggestions from friends and I was pleased, as usual.  {We haven’t tasted anything from there we haven’t loved!}</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xq7ZZYFvBfQ/UwAmcKbv_3I/AAAAAAAAEzM/JtiA5kLZZTo/s1600-h/IMG_0999%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0999" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0999" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e6vqRcf9m0Y/UwAmchxWnNI/AAAAAAAAEzU/n_xVlH_mIig/IMG_0999_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="665" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><em>{This was the only picture I took of my groceries this week…we most definitely did NOT survive on just this food in case you were wondering! HAHA!}</em></p> <p align="center">Since we went up there on Saturday and I don’t get to go up there super often {meaning I put some things in my cart knowing I wouldn’t be back up there again for at least a month} I didn’t leave as much of a “margin” in my grocery budget as I should have.  </p> <p align="center">Which means that I had to pull out my debit card not once, but twice.  Oops.</p> <p align="center">The first was to buy Olivia a sippy cup.  Sister is a little DIVA when it comes to her drinking preferences and I have literally tried FIVE different cups with her over the last several months.  Luke? Drinking from a cup by his first birthday, no problem whatsoever.  Not this girl!  Until I FINALLY saw a tip on a forum about these Nuk “Learner” cups so I got myself to Wal-Mart and bought one.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-78u6H9lbsro/UwAmdGlQ59I/AAAAAAAAEzc/5wTEte8B3_Q/s1600-h/IMG_1017%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1017" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IKtMYjThQ8w/UwAmdhlQwbI/AAAAAAAAEzk/bGJFN-X_En0/IMG_1017_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="525" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Best thing ever!!! I wouldn’t say she loves it over her bottles, but she will suck one dry and that has never happened before!  I decided it was better to pay $6.94 now rather than wait until February was over since this was a habit I needed to break as soon as possible.  Money well spent!  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">The second time was under $2 at CVS to get Luke some Valentines for his class.  {I paid part cash/part debit}.  We don’t have a color printer and we had no candy in the house, so I literally *had* to buy them for his class party <font size="1">that we didn’t end up having anyway because of all the dang snow but that’s besides the point</font>.  He was pretty thrilled though – we got Monster’s University ones that came with a cute little pencil that slides inside. </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">One thing that helped keep me sane? A Starbucks run on Tuesday.  We only drink exclusively Starbucks coffee {I’m a big believer in the theory that life’s waaaaay to short to drink coffee that you hate} and I always, always, always save my bags to return them for a free tall coffee.  Did you know you can do that?  As long as it’s no more than 30 days past the expiration!  Both of my local Starbucks will also let me add flavoring for free {bless them!} so I get a tall Pike Place with cream and toffee nut.  YUMMM!  </p> <p align="center">     <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TOEZ_9fH4GE/UwAmeNdWnyI/AAAAAAAAEzo/7BC-o1nkDCw/s1600-h/IMG_1026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1026" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pO35pBN0ADc/UwAmekYHeuI/AAAAAAAAEzw/8cuj1VA9Q9s/IMG_1026_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="322" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrfkksA-PcY_1lB6LlO5MwN0HVb4INQoH4QxLF0yRiFGPlZSqUjemxRicsLJ_EITidB6DdcbBIRgnx22XENThix-Xz9H82265KbWm62ePAP4L4Mk4YWvA2DI9fDeSPDfCse7La0cUYPw/s1600-h/IMG_1027%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1027" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1027" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3VsSDP71Qm4/UwAmfZJk8jI/AAAAAAAAE0E/jmPjag9BIrQ/IMG_1027_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="323" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I popped my little coffee cozy from Lindsay around it and the stars aligned so that when I pulled in my driveway Livi was asleep and Luke would be home in about 15 minutes on the bus.  I just stayed in the warm car and sipped my coffee in the sunshine and quiet and it was BLISS.  :)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2Dx6rTna7tE/UwAmgGv2UfI/AAAAAAAAE0I/Zcf_-uHFXxM/s1600-h/IMG_1035%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1035" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1035" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MewtW0zUrPg/UwAmgn9k2tI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/48y4vl_GUXk/IMG_1035_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="496" height="496" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Okay wow I gotta wrap this up!!  I did purchase a diaper bag at an amazing, can’t-beat-it price  because I needed an upgrade and a friend was putting in a 31 order and I had to do it this month…but I am slowly selling things around the house to pay for it so I don’t count that because I’m paying it off. After tomorrow afternoon I will only owe $5 more it. :)</p> <p align="center">Oh and my amazing grandparents sent Luke and Liv each $25 for Valentine’s, which I’m going to add to the Consignment Sale Fund! Yay! </p> <p align="center">Recap: </p> <p align="center"><strong>$58</strong> for the Consignment Sale Fund </p> <p align="center"><strong>$42</strong> left to fund it</p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">Oops money: <strong>-$8.50</strong> on sippy cup and Valentines for the class <br /> <br />Still need to earn: <strong>$5</strong> to make up for the new diaper bag</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Not bad….but I am REALLLLLY looking forward to March 1st right now! lol!</p> Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-46113049817726794242014-02-08T12:14:00.001-08:002014-02-15T18:52:51.159-08:00No-Spend Month {Round 2}: Week 1 Check-In<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7E9f3uEhbqU/UvaQBxlD3cI/AAAAAAAAExM/CzhkERqEe1s/s1600-h/No-Spend%252520Month%252520%25257BFebruary%2525202014%25257D%252520012%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="No-Spend Month {February 2014} 012" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XHaGRFYXDm4/UvaQCVBvW7I/AAAAAAAAExQ/6fjNm13F5L0/No-Spend%252520Month%252520%25257BFebruary%2525202014%25257D%252520012_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="387" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="No-Spend Month {February 2014} 012" width="515" /></a></div>
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Well, I’d say this week was a success! First of all I am happy to report that I actually had TWO dollars left in my grocery budget! A-mazing! I was pretty positive I’d be visiting all my friends’ houses and searching their couches for spare change by the end of the week. So that was happy. ;)</div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eZXz1ta1K38/UvaQCip7NiI/AAAAAAAAExY/Q31DcGQ7wmg/s1600-h/IMG_1005%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1005" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k8hKCMdkcEU/UvaQDGaeYkI/AAAAAAAAExk/BdUNfXmjRWs/IMG_1005_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="523" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1005" width="393" /></a></div>
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Here’s what I bought, not including 2 gallons of 2% for Chris and Luke: </div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ScWVMrkjPDE/UvaQD3gHVnI/AAAAAAAAExs/q3O4pFvT2b8/s1600-h/IMG_0935%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0935" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q-tYyWGZ1T4/UvaQEK0ebzI/AAAAAAAAExw/vL9Am1SrKmw/IMG_0935_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0935" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rnOGPSgSx2U/UvaQE-nuBhI/AAAAAAAAEx8/2JAtdb8z6H0/s1600-h/IMG_0937%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0937" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O6wjMcLjWpI/UvaQFUt_zII/AAAAAAAAEyE/iycIiCtXrms/IMG_0937_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0937" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P26x3pEaIMU/UvaQFx0X8nI/AAAAAAAAEyM/rS2YGuwLSdA/s1600-h/IMG_0951%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0951" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n5QWni46uT8/UvaQGeflGRI/AAAAAAAAEyU/Fe2Fc_S39Zs/IMG_0951_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0951" width="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_Gy4iIs9Rls/UvaQG0gsuGI/AAAAAAAAEyc/7GtVRQR28AY/s1600-h/IMG_0976%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0976" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w0L9c2wZmvM/UvaQHBO8u-I/AAAAAAAAEyg/lbjHh-SqbQo/IMG_0976_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0976" width="184" /></a> </div>
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<em>{Chris, Livi and I try to eat almost exclusively whole foods, but you’ll definitely notice some processed foods in these photos. I’ve touched on it before but Luke has some pretty serious eating issues {enough to warrant therapy with an OT that insurance actually covers} so we buy a LOT of crunchy carbs and things he is safe with. At this point in my son’s life, doing “food chaining” with him {the process of starting with safe foods and moving to new ones gradually} and getting calories in his body is my top priority…even if that means I cringe every time I have to buy him something that might not be the healthiest. Oh, and the Pringles? Free with 2 boxes of Cheez-Its. We literally never buy them otherwise but Chris was THRILLED. haha }</em> </div>
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Anyway! Moving on. :) </div>
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You will notice a chocolate bar {part of a gift for a friend} and also a Valentine’s snack cup in the Target picture. Those cups are only $1.99 at Target {I KNOW!!} and I absolutely could NOT pass one up for my little heart warrior! I mean I love pink anyway but seriously this could not be more perfect for her Valentine’s gift! I had money in the budget so I went for it. :)</div>
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Here’s what we ate for the week: </div>
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Saturday – Homemade Pizza {put some dough in freezer} <br />Sunday – <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/2011/10/31-days-to-cleaner-diet-6-crockpot.html"><span style="color: #ff80c0;">Crockpot Salsa Chicken</span></a> <br />Monday – Homemade Meatballs and Spaghetti {put some in freezer} <br />Tuesday – leftovers <br />Wednesday – Skillet Fried Rice <br />Thursday – Frozen Pizza {Since January 1st we’ve been having frozen pizza night once a week – usually on Friday. BEST THING EVER for my sanity!} <br />Friday – Homemade Refried Beans and Homemade Quesadillas <br /> <br />Snacks/Extras: </div>
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Homemade Granola {didn’t turn out well} <br />Applesauce Bread <br />Pumpkin Pancakes <br />Egg Salad for lunches</div>
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Yes, I am in my kitchen A LOT!!!!!</div>
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On the plus side of money, I brought a big load of clothes to the consignment shop on February 1st, and I also sold $18 worth of items from my house via a Facebook. $10 of that went toward a Facebook Fitness Challenge I’m participating in {entry fee}, and the other $8 went to my big “Consignment Sale Fund” for April. </div>
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Our oops moment? When we realized on February 1st {Saturday morning} that we’d promised Luke earlier that week that he could watch Despicable Me with Chris {for the first time ever}. And people, there was <strong>no way</strong> I was gonna hear about that for the next 28 days from my four-year-old. So we DID spend $2.99 on that from Amazon Instant Stream. And great memories were made. :)</div>
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So, to recap: </div>
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<strong>$2</strong> leftover from groceries {miraculous} <br /> <br /><strong>$18</strong> made from selling clothes, leaving <strong>$8</strong> toward my consignment fund</div>
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{<strong>$92</strong> left to fund it}</div>
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Oops money: <strong>-$2.99</strong></div>
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Not bad at all! :)</div>
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This week I’m definitely going to try to sell more clothes and chip away at that $100 goal! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! </div>
Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-47528661295146299852014-02-05T07:05:00.001-08:002014-02-05T07:35:19.894-08:00My “Done” List {aka: How I Keep My Sanity With Kiddos!}<p align="center">One thing you should know about me: I am EXTREMELY right-brained.  I literally have to TALK myself through seeing a lot of my tasks through to completion {and putting it all away if there are materials involved!!!} because in my head I’ve already moved on to the next project.  I could happily decorate my house and do craft projects all the live-long day.  I am not OCD in the slightest about my house being picked up {except in my cupboards and drawers…I love organization there}.  It’s not that I *dislike* being organized…it’s just not my spiritual gift.  Haha! <br /> <br /> <br /></p> <p align="center"><img src="http://unboxup.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/ocdparty.jpg?w=599" width="390" height="273" /> <br /><a href="http://unboxup.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/clean-house/">{via}</a> <br /> <br /> <br /></p> <p align="center">Anyway, while I’m not OCD about it, I still really do like the calm feeling of a picked-up, put-together house.  That’s always my goal.  But with two kiddos running around all day tearing it apart, I often end most days feeling super defeated about my housekeeping.  Livi is in that peak messy toddler stage, so feedings are a total mess of dropped food everywhere and when she’s not eating, she’s ripping Kleenex out of a box and shredding them piece by piece or pulling all the books off the bookshelves or dumping over her entire diaper bag contents…etc.  ;)</p> <p align="center">There are days when I get to 8 pm and I’m completely exhausted but to look at my house you’d think I did nothing all day long…when that couldn’t be further from the truth.  Every so often I get super depressed about it and maybe cry <strike>a lot</strike> a little.  <br /> <br /></p> <p align="center"><img alt="Funny Cry for Help Ecard: Cleaning your house while your children are home is a lot like brushing your teeth with Oreos in your mouth." src="http://static.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/MjAxMi01YmE2YjliYjk1OWU4YzFl.png" /> <br /><a href="http://www.someecards.com/usercards/viewcard/MjAxMi02MjdhYjUwMmMyZDAzYTQ1">{via}</a> <br /> <br /> <br /></p> <p align="center">And that, my friends, is when I wake up the next morning and start my “Done List.” </p> <p align="center">Most people work through their days with a “To-Do” list.  I make these often, and they keep me focused, and I am also completely not ashamed to admit that I will write things I’ve already done and then cross them off just to feel accomplished.  </p> <p align="center">The “Done List,” however, works in reverse.  When I make this list, I don’t start out with goals…I just write down everything I’ve done for the day…<em>as I do it.</em>  </p> <p align="center">When I do this, I see tangible evidence that I AM working hard, and I AM accomplishing tasks…even though it doesn’t seem like it.  Often I will give myself a little challenge, like “10 tasks before lunch.”  </p> <p align="center">I write down EVERYTHING.  This list isn’t anything to brag about, because other than right here and now, I’ve never showed my lists to anyone.  It’s merely for my mental state…to see that I DO work hard during the day, and that I am accomplishing things.  </p> <p align="center">Because things like laundry?  That move from baskets right to dresser drawers?  Or emptying out the dishwasher?  Those are vital, necessary tasks, but your house will still look *just* as messy when they are finished.  Doing them often feels pointless…like there’s nothing to show.  </p> <p align="center">So my “Done List” reminds me that I am doing worthwhile, productive things with my day.  </p> <p align="center">Here’s my list from yesterday….yes, it might seem a little silly to write things like “Showered” or even “Moved wash to dryer…”  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_NpPn8nDKKc/UvJaNG8RDRI/AAAAAAAAEw0/0dN5ca4e4Qg/s1600-h/The%252520Done%252520List%252520005%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="The Done List 005" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="The Done List 005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vxDVo72tS64/UvJaNgaYBzI/AAAAAAAAEw4/fQ9cdIGEqz8/The%252520Done%252520List%252520005_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="395" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">But seriously?  Showering is not a right anymore…it’s a privilege! Lol! And laundry is like a 14-level chore when you have kids that have a crisis like every other second.  Every step deserves a medal. ;) This list is what I was able to accomplish yesterday before I put Luke on the bus at around 12:15.  After that I went to Target with Liv and then came home and got caught up with the dinnertime crazies. :)</p> <p align="center">Anyway, I hope this crazy little thing I do encourages someone else out there…just try it when you’re having a crazy week and see if it doesn’t perk you right up! :)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Be back on Friday with my <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/2014/01/no-spend-month-february-2014.html"><font color="#ff80c0">No-Spend Month</font></a> Week 1 Update! :)</p> Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com135tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-75028621679042247672014-01-31T08:36:00.001-08:002014-01-31T08:56:56.701-08:00No-Spend Month: February 2014<div align="center">
I’m guessing this title either excites you or makes you want to shudder. My husband? THRILLED about this. Me? Not so much. Can you guess which one of us pays the bills?! haha</div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o7C5dha8M9U/UuvQ7lkFqRI/AAAAAAAAEwA/kD8TgaCm7IQ/s1600-h/No-Spend%252520Month%252520%25257BFebruary%2525202014%25257D%252520012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="No-Spend Month {February 2014} 012" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Lw5Trib2w1c/UuvQ8TAVjTI/AAAAAAAAEwE/0aYvQd4694g/No-Spend%252520Month%252520%25257BFebruary%2525202014%25257D%252520012_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="382" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="No-Spend Month {February 2014} 012" width="508" /></a></div>
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<strike>An eternity ago</strike> Two years ago, in January 2012, we did our first-ever no-spend month. It was a big success for our family, and <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/search/label/No-Spend%20Month"><span style="color: #ff80c0;">you can read all the details about it here</span></a> to see how it went for us. We have some big financial goals this year {remember <a href="http://www.thisblessedlife.net/2014/01/my-word-for-2014and-what-im-planning-to.html"><span style="color: #ff80c0;">my word for the year</span></a>?}, and we mutually decided to embark on another no-spend month for February. </div>
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<strong>Why did we pick February?</strong> </div>
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- Shortest month of the year, CLEARLY. :) <br />- January, for us, involved traveling for several days and throwing Olivia’s 1st birthday party, so it wasn’t a good month for us. <br />- We have nowhere to go and nothing big to spend our money on, so it felt like the perfect month for us. Plus, having this month in the beginning of the year helps our year to start out on the right financial “foot.” </div>
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<strong>What does this look like for us?</strong> </div>
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Well, for this month, we are only paying for the essentials. For our family, that includes: </div>
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- Money we give to God {that money goes to our church, missionaries, and two children overseas that we sponsor}</div>
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- Bills {mortgage, utilities, college loans, etc.} <br /> <br />- Gas</div>
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- Groceries</div>
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That’s IT. NO FUN MONEY! </div>
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No $2 coffee on a rough day {who, me?! lol}, no grabbing dinner at Panera on the weekend {even though that’s still super rare for us}, no {GULP!} money spent thrifting – not even a dollar or two, and not even for the kids. </div>
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Our debit card does not get used AT ALL, and besides the money I take out for groceries {we use cash}, our bank account does not get touched for the month. </div>
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ZIP.</div>
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<strong>What will keep us sane: <br /> </strong>- It’s only 28 days {thank you Jesus! haha} <br /> <br />- We DO plan on going out on February 15th, using a Cheesecake Factory gift card my in-laws gave us for Christmas that we saved for this very purpose <br /> <br />- The $5 I have on my Starbucks card right now, thanks to my Shopkick points, for a day or two I get desperate. LOL</div>
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<strong>Caveats:</strong></div>
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- Considering that Luke currently looks a little like a chia pet {and so do I, for that matter}, one or both of us might get our hair cut this month. {This isn’t considered fun money, though, more personal/health care.}</div>
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- Olivia is right between shoe sizes and I may have to buy her a pair to get us through this month. </div>
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On the positive side, I’m super excited to see how much money we can save toward our financial goal. I’m also currently in the process of going through all of Luke’s old clothes from the attic in order to sell them to make money for an upcoming consignment sale in April {in other words, to roll the money I make right into the sale so that I don’t technically “spend” any of our family’s money there.} My goal is $100. </div>
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I’ll be checking in every week to let you know how it’s going! </div>
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Anyone else ever done this? Would you do it again? Or would you do it RIGHT NOW?! :)</div>
Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-70966169347009117702014-01-27T17:52:00.001-08:002014-01-27T17:52:28.052-08:00A Letter to Olivia<p align="center">My darling girl, </p> <p align="center">YOU ARE ONE. I can hardly believe it.  </p> <p align="center">Technically you turned one 6 days ago, but I was such a hot mess on your birthday and the day after that I couldn’t compose myself enough to write anything.  By the time you are old enough to read this, I’m sure it won’t be any surprise at all to you because you will already know that I am a total sap and I cry all the time.  </p> <p align="center">But this was<em> real</em> crying.  I just kept thinking about what the last year has held and then all of the heavy emotions surrounding your birth – the spectacular highs and the crushing lows – came flooding back in a tidal wave of emotion that I wasn’t prepared for.  </p> <p align="center">But I think I am ready now. :) At least, I will try.  Guarantee you that by the end of this I will be bawling.  But you probably expected that already. ;)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8JhjP_7qJLc/UucNJqNwATI/AAAAAAAAEso/YIZFuNXLaXI/s1600-h/IMG_20130224_141555%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20130224_141555" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20130224_141555" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bCUDNeqa0pQ/UucNKAYJE_I/AAAAAAAAEss/Xy_Xps6c2tU/IMG_20130224_141555_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="472" height="380" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Before you even entered the world, you brought my heart so much peace {just like the meaning of your name!}.  I had such a scary end of pregnancy with Luke and then post-partum depression and I was so, so scared to be pregnant again.  My pregnancy with you went fantastic {well until the shingles at the end, but that wasn’t your fault ;)}.  The c-section with you was so calm – so opposite from the chaotic emergency one with your brother that I will forever feel like my pregnancy with you healed me from my fears that I would have held onto for the rest of my life.  You showed me that pregnancy, and delivery, and the post-partum time doesn’t have to be terrifying.  It can be beautiful and peaceful.  That was your first gift to me.  <em>Thank you, </em>sweetheart<em>.</em></p> <p align="center">Your second gift was your birth-day.  I felt so bonded from you from the beginning and I know people say things about mommas and their boys {and of course I adore Luke just as much as I adore you} but honey there was something so magical about you from the beginning.  You had both me and Daddy wrapped around your teeny little pink pinky from the second you were born.  Never ever in my life will I forget the gloriousness of waking up on the second day you were alive and feeling the warm sunshine flooding through the window and me and you and Daddy were there together and I just held you all warm on my chest with your little pink hat and I just felt so COMPLETE.  I had a DAUGHTER and it was magical.  I have never felt so at peace with the world.  You gave me the gift of peace that day, for the second time. <em>Thank you.</em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PcODuHCWdww/UucNKncc8-I/AAAAAAAAEs4/2CQvvJSiawE/s1600-h/IMG_20130324_151044%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20130324_151044" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20130324_151044" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g6FRt2gIBMU/UucNLIrPo6I/AAAAAAAAEs8/RYKIOi1H-A4/IMG_20130324_151044_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="509" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">When later that night you had to be moved to the NICU, in the most horrifying hours of my life, I posted on Facebook and within minutes had dozens and dozens of messages and posts and e-mails letting me know you were being prayed for.  One of the gifts of going to Cedarville is having friends now around the country and you were literally being prayed for around the world.  It was one of the most humbling experiences our lives to see the power of God’s people lifting up a little baby to His Name.  This was the first of many, many times over the next few months that Daddy and I would be blown away by how many people were praying for you.  Whole churches, complete strangers, friends of friends stopping me in the store telling me they were praying for Olivia – all praying for YOU.  What a gift to see God’s people in action, banding together! <em>Thank you.</em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LsNDdwUleZ4/UucNLiRmrLI/AAAAAAAAEtI/CVBpk8cugK8/s1600-h/IMG_20130428_172618%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20130428_172618" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20130428_172618" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iEJeFQ7gk4g/UucNMHuyd9I/AAAAAAAAEtM/py-Bxi4F6TI/IMG_20130428_172618_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="426" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">When you went to the NICU, Daddy and I began learning about a part of the world we’d never really thought about before: the “parents of sick kids” world.  NICUs and PICUs have their own little hushed, quiet subculture {except for when it isn’t hushed and quiet, which also happens often}.  I am no longer innocent to all of the pain that is happening, day and night, in hospitals around the country and around the world.  I am aware that at any given time, even at the happiest times, like Christmas, there are sad and lonely mommies and daddies out there, praying over their babies, willing them to make it and to be okay.    It’s good thing to have your eyes opened.  I know how to pray for them now. <em>Thank you.</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8Yp0OBbJjyY/UucNMuGjKjI/AAAAAAAAEtY/OPZ6_LQWrYs/s1600-h/IMG_20130528_175319%25255B21%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20130528_175319" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20130528_175319" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WIWhC4KQa1U/UucNNKOnCmI/AAAAAAAAEtc/-H_WJnWCjk4/IMG_20130528_175319_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="394" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">We started learning about the heart and all the things that weren’t right with yours.  I finally learned how to say <em>Teh-TRAH-loh-gee of Fuh-LOH</em> and got pretty darn good at drawing pictures of the heart and explaining to people {in technical terms and in layperson’s terms} about what was wrong with yours.  Not something I ever wanted to be an expert on, mind you, but hey, it’s kinda cool to know so much about how the human heart works.  So <em>thank you</em>. ;)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LKXE4sgrbek/UucNNqWPiVI/AAAAAAAAEto/Jp5T0xDQEw4/s1600-h/IMG_20130630_105623%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20130630_105623" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20130630_105623" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5R9H77RS-2s/UucNOCLU_BI/AAAAAAAAEts/FuoJXT7HXI4/IMG_20130630_105623_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="533" height="440" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">When we got home from the hospital, and had the simultaneous joy of “we have a baby girl in our house now!” and the dread of “open heart surgery is coming sometime soon,”  we were carried by meal after meal after meal from church and prayers and phone calls and the most amazing notes and cards.  Again we saw God’s love in action, in very real and practical ways.  We were sent money from two very special angels who saw to it that all of our fees for parking and food would be covered during your hospital stay and were also given a very large gift from some other very special angels to help with our car when it died just a few weeks before your surgery.  LOVE IN ACTION, displayed to us because of what we were going through with you.  <em>Thank you.</em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7GT6UMM2-mM/UucNOvw5BgI/AAAAAAAAEt4/M6IJF3DO6HQ/s1600-h/IMG_20130728_163753%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20130728_163753" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20130728_163753" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m_H815piTF4/UucNPhm31PI/AAAAAAAAEt8/MWnYn1CvGWc/IMG_20130728_163753_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" height="445" /></a></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">The Sunday before your surgery {it was on a Wednesday}, our entire church prayed for you during the service and Pastor anointed you with oils {first time in my life I’d ever experienced that!} and prayed for your healing.  A friend told us he was fasting the whole day of your surgery, and through your Facebook page we knew that hundreds of people were banding together again to pray you through that surgery.  Carried by love, in the name of God, for you.  <em>Thank you.</em>  </p> <p align="center">And on that terrible morning, May 1st, 2013, when I had to hand you over to the anesthesiologist's arms and watch her walk away with you, not knowing if I’d ever see you again this side of Heaven, in what was literally the single most awful moment of my existence, God carried us.  We sat for hours in the family waiting room, and other families came and went, and each time we chatted with them and told them what you were in for, every.single.person. was shocked at how calm we were {and frankly, so were we}.  It was such an amazing thing to be able to share about how many people were praying for you and how we knew God was in control.  Daddy and I were able to share about the power of prayer to hurting strangers, and pray for their babies too.  What an honor.  <em>Thank you.</em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CtFBA6eNBMo/UucNQAro32I/AAAAAAAAEuI/o9nI3TBfOW8/s1600-h/IMG_20130825_160110%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20130825_160110" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20130825_160110" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GPZfDaeGE9s/UucNQvCf63I/AAAAAAAAEuM/VTwWzXeFB_E/IMG_20130825_160110_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="498" height="432" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">When the surgeon came out and told us that your hole had been successfully repaired, but that this wasn’t the end of your surgeries, that was crushing. I wept.  Hard.  Right there in the waiting room, in front of everyone.  My baby wasn’t completely fixed and my nightmare wasn’t over and I HATED IT. But after I composed myself I realized just how grateful I was that we had made it through the hardest surgery.  And so we moved to the PICU with you for several days and walked by sealed doors with parents in protective covering and signs that said “Neurosurgery” and realized that hey, this really isn’t the worst.  Open-heart surgery seems pretty horrific compared to tonsils out but to me and dad, brain surgery takes the ultimate cake.  So we counted our blessings and we saw what a fighter you were and how awesome you were healing and how you soldiered through the horrific pain of recovery and you became our hero and we fell in love with you all over again.  Even though your Facebook page “only” got 730 likes, we noticed that the posts we were uploading each day from the hospital were being seen by upwards of 10,000 people.  Daddy and I were blown away by how many people were getting to hear your story and see God at work.  You got yourself out of the PICU and onto the Peds floor and then got yourself home.  You came home and recovered like a champ and when they told us to watch out, that you might be developmentally delayed from all the necessary time on your back, you blew through those milestones and started crawling and walking, not just on time, but EARLY.  You did NOT sit quietly and succumb to anything.  <em>Thank you</em>, my little fighter! </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsdxflmPSBrjz_hI8AydTSU7RCgNQDBydVGf9ZaPhFYYBcLJBlBLgbJtWx7KBoKX4j3joXI9-dlPrzxIr6ZJVcdf-9vuxESyjM8iq_kpsN7W5ixPgCdjYDCNp10_INCrCT9GI8Ex-DxM/s1600-h/IMG_20131006_175431%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20131006_175431" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20131006_175431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cleIcL6vTXs/UucNRxcccxI/AAAAAAAAEuc/YY0ncYX9C9s/IMG_20131006_175431_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="526" height="432" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">And so we settled into this post-surgery {but really pre-surgery someday in the distant future} life.  I feel like life with you this year was divided into two parts: super sad early months, dreading what was to come and waking up every day realizing that it wasn’t really a nightmare and yes we DID have to go through open-heart surgery with you, and then the post-surgery months, just relishing in the fact that you are HERE and you are currently HEALTHY and what a complete and utter joy you are.  </p> <p align="center">Like we had to hold our breath for about 14 weeks in the beginning and now it’s just been one big exhale…one big smile.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PhvgN78t_Zw/UucNSNscjwI/AAAAAAAAEuo/1FP1wkjE4X0/s1600-h/Day%252520in%252520the%252520Life%252520001%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Day in the Life 001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Day in the Life 001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lvWW78BDm24/UucNSrKxIiI/AAAAAAAAEus/3RRwgzn78-4/Day%252520in%252520the%252520Life%252520001_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="585" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I mean we still had challenges – you had dead serious reflux that had you eating small amounts, meaning there were nights you were up and eating 4 times {until about 10 months old you were up anywhere from 1-7 times a night}.  So it took us a lot longer to “recover” from babyhood than a normal family because we were so dang tired.  lol  But now, most nights, you sleep about 12 hours, give or a take a random diaper change here and there at 12:30am.  No biggie.  We feel like humans again! So…THANK YOU. ;)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4RBxzWtpJ5Y/UucNTOgDA5I/AAAAAAAAEu0/vWwB2szJbjs/s1600-h/IMG_0104%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0104" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0104" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9_4sukpW_Jk/UucNTRZdooI/AAAAAAAAEvA/pdqKOR-D-dY/IMG_0104_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="490" height="653" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I can’t tell you how many times you get complimented at the store every time we are out.  People just LOVE you.  You smile your big cheeky smile and people just melt.  You stare right at them and share your joy and it is fantastic.  I am so, so proud to be your mom!  And I know Daddy feels the same way.  You just seriously exude joy and happiness, honey!  It’s hard for me to describe in words.  You are such a treasure and have so much personality.  <em>Thank you</em> for bringing so many smiles to our days!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TX2RHPxonTI/UucNTx18yDI/AAAAAAAAEvI/Pk8Fji4hxAg/s1600-h/IMG_0421%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0421" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0421" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ysOfRPSFaPE/UucNUYhiDZI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/lkZhfD6RDD8/IMG_0421_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" height="610" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">As of right now, you are:</p> <p align="center">- 21 pounds, 4 ounces and 29 inches long {50th percentile for both} <br /> <br />-You wear 9-12 or 12 month clothes and a size 3 shoe and size 3 diapers {size 4 for overnights}</p> <p align="center">- You have almost 6 teeth <br /> <br />- You can take steps {you've taken 10 steps for us} and just in the last two days you're starting to walk all by yourself, just out in the open {as opposed to walking “to” one of us}.  You are getting braver and we love it. <br /> <br />- You absolutely adore Luke and hearing you two giggling and chasing each other is the most magnificent sound my ears have ever heard.  </p> <p align="center">- You love, love, love books and enjoy “big kid” and baby books.  You have pretty amazing fine motor skills and can open real and chunky pages with your fingers.  You’ve had the pincer grasp down pat for months now.  </p> <p align="center">- You absolutely love to eat and “cheer” for me when I get your tray out by waving your arms up and down and going “ah-ah-ah-ah” in a happy voice.  When you want more, you bang the tray. lol  </p> <p align="center">- You can currently say mama, dada, ba-ba {bottle}, mo {more}, yeah, and sometimes we swear you’ve said brother! You wave hello and goodbye {when you want to, lol} and absolutely love putting things over your head and playing peekaboo with us {aka cutest thing EVER}.  </p> <p align="center">- You are already so into your girly toys and choose them over all others.  You love your dollies and your makeup vanity from your birthday! </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RT2aJOyuJy4/UucNVLWJw7I/AAAAAAAAEvY/4-FVqMy1MBs/s1600-h/IMG_0601%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0601" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0601" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5vtTt07qi4I/UucNVkFGUrI/AAAAAAAAEvg/JyEQkbJC2mc/IMG_0601_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364" /></a>    </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbrdcOmLbyPivep3Pv44UpcIBP8Ko_iCr3UwcLBnuGq-m1bB4x4Yx183yHMtALlp8k0nIrRlVene-OMhwu5Oc2-6wEIXyTp1IZBjlh-HJRxokuqyv8s8KcPOwfM2k2llEJf0II3OsAvg/s1600-h/IMG_0642%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0642" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0642" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m4CYxXkr_hM/UucNWiDxEQI/AAAAAAAAEvs/22_11jiQmDg/IMG_0642_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="516" /></a></p> <p align="center">Not a day goes by that Daddy and I aren’t so grateful for your life.  </p> <p align="center">You are an absolute joy to us, and we cherish every minute with you.  Every day that goes by we cherish you more and fall more in love with how beautiful, joyful, and adorable you are.  </p> <p align="center"><em>Thank you</em> for staying with us and giving me the gift each day of waking up and getting to be your mom!  {Yup, I’m crying now!} </p> <p align="center">You are my sunshine! Can’t wait to watch you GROW! </p> <p align="center">Love forever, <br />Mommy</p> Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1058926948643949828.post-49603824374424135862014-01-15T18:10:00.001-08:002014-01-18T06:41:42.176-08:00POWEROCKS Giveaway!<p align="center"><em>Edit: This giveaway is over and the winner is……..</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-he94LyKZw7A/UtqSoh5GGfI/AAAAAAAAEsI/RvMhVN08zXU/s1600-h/Powerocks%252520pick%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><em><img title="Powerocks pick" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Powerocks pick" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_qPXPd3Y8fc/UtqSpPPODTI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/M5uw8sUxAJ0/Powerocks%252520pick_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="163" height="194" /></em></a></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><em>#5, Rayray Cartucci!  Congratulations Rayray! </em></p> <p align="center"><em>Contact me at blessedlifeblog{at}gmail{dot}com with your contact info so I can ship this out to you asap! :)</em></p> <p align="center"><em>----------------------------------------------------------------------</em></p> <p align="center">You guys, this product is pretty awesome…and somebody gets to win one this week!</p> <p align="center">Yup, one of YOU will win a <a href="http://www.powerocks.com/a/p/1/2011/0921/20.html"><font color="#ff80c0">Super Magicstick Portable Ch</font></a><font color="#ff80c0">arger</font> - valued at $49.99! </p> <p align="center">I am very new to the whole smartphone world {I’ve had mine for less than 2 months} but I was contacted by this awesome company and was pretty thrilled to learn about what this product can do! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ITvmdeFz5mY/Utc_bZnr1hI/AAAAAAAAErA/QMvXrzG7YyQ/s1600-h/POWEROCKS%252520Giveaway%252520-%252520This%252520Blessed%252520Life%252520001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="POWEROCKS Giveaway - This Blessed Life 001" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="POWEROCKS Giveaway - This Blessed Life 001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L5PibCwI8gE/Utc_b0VLD3I/AAAAAAAAErE/2X4NarC1lTw/POWEROCKS%252520Giveaway%252520-%252520This%252520Blessed%252520Life%252520001_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="578" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">To quote the back of the box: </p> <blockquote> <p align="center"> <br />“Powerocks will charge your electronic devices safely and quickly when life takes you away from an electrical outlet. Its…battery capacity gives you enough power to fully charge most smartphones <strong>up to two times</strong>.”</p> <p align="center"> </p> </blockquote> <p align="center">Isn't that awesome?!  :)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sopZiEQ6RXI/Utc_cncEM8I/AAAAAAAAEr0/jw1WQXVaRto/s1600-h/POWEROCKS%252520Giveaway%252520-%252520This%252520Blessed%252520Life%252520003%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img title="POWEROCKS Giveaway - This Blessed Life 003" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="POWEROCKS Giveaway - This Blessed Life 003" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGxVZj_5b4P446a1LfPSZTWN6Hnz58UmB2fJNX8BVqdPxNDtCavijncS6fX2Bp-_HKHYx4SiOGhTonh219xodBOgNyjUBjU4HHRJLW8B3xrLEFR-GySA_ZNScasPdD5zvofs8aJUig6o/?imgmax=800" width="520" height="391" /></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Basically, you charge the charger, then you can take it with you to have remote/cordless charging of your electronic device wherever you are.  </p> <p align="center">This is awesome for: </p> <p align="center">-camping/hiking trips <br />-traveling <br />-power outages <br />-anytime when access to an outlet or computer is uncertain <br />-times when you’re out at the store and have forgotten to charge your phone and its suddenly dead when you need it {or is that just me?! lol}</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">It couldn’t be easier to use – just plug it into your phone, using your phone’s cord: </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IF2dyNCLFF4/Utc_eguSwqI/AAAAAAAAErg/llEMfc6O5fY/s1600-h/POWEROCKS%252520Giveaway%252520-%252520This%252520Blessed%252520Life%252520006%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="POWEROCKS Giveaway - This Blessed Life 006" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="POWEROCKS Giveaway - This Blessed Life 006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zLtk52uF1-o/Utc_fdngajI/AAAAAAAAEro/vWgBd5lot4k/POWEROCKS%252520Giveaway%252520-%252520This%252520Blessed%252520Life%252520006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="541" height="456" /></a></p> <p align="center">And a convenient light on the bottom indicates the level of battery life left on the Magicstick.  When it needs to be recharged, just plug into any USB port, using the cord supplied by <a href="http://www.powerocks.com/"><font color="#ff80c0">Powerocks</font></a>.  </p> <p align="center">HELLO EASY.  :)</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">I’ll be honest: you guys know I’m about as frugal as they come, out of necessity.  This does retail for nearly $50, and I understand that’s not pocket change.  BUT I’ve also learned that quality electronic devices for phones are worth the expense.  </p> <p align="center">And seriously…pin this now for the times throughout the year {hello, Father’s Day?!} when you need a gift for that person who has everything.  It’s not just available in pink and black…check out the other colors:</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img alt="" src="http://powerocksmedia.com/images/Magicsticks-Beauty.png" width="469" height="325" /></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">So, how do you win??  </p> <p align="center">Simply leave a comment on this post saying what you would use the charger for {Are you an avid camper, out in the woods for days at a time?  Do you travel a lot or take day trips where something like this would be convenient to throw in your purse?}</p> <p align="center">OR if you would like to win it for someone else, just leave a comment stating who in your life you’d like to give it to, and why.  <br /></p> <p align="center">For an extra chance to win, repost this on Facebook {either linking from the web or sharing my Facebook page status about Powerocks} and just come back here and leave an additional comment telling me you did so.</p> <p align="center">The winner will be announced on Saturday morning!  :)</p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3">{Winner will receive the Black Super Magicstick shown in the first picture.  I received the Magicstick free of charge, but all opinions are 100% my own.  This is tried and approved by me!}</font></em></p> Jessica @ This Blessed Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465333299613687298noreply@blogger.com13