School Supply Donation Link

Thanks for supporting the kids of Reynosa, Mexico!  As a mom, I know how important it is for kids to get an education.  Your support will pay for school supplies and discounted shipping of the supplies to our friends and partners at Strategic Alliance. 

The supplies will support kids in their Escuela Viva program. 
To learn more check them out online!

Donations for Trip

Thank you for considering a donation to Jerret's trip.  We appreciate your monetary support and thoughts while he spreads God's love.  Any size donation will help us with this endeavor.

Please note, you do NOT need paypal to checkout through this site.  Paypal is the third party that processes the credit cards.

 To checkout with out a paypal account look in the bottom left of the screen for "Don't have a Paypal account? Use your credit card or bank account"and click CONTINUE.

Parenting Insight

I had this super awesome blog composed in my head to share....and I lost it.  Between the cold, coughing, hacking, fighting with a sick 3 year old and catering to a sick hubby....it flew out of my head.
SO, I am going to offer some parenting insight on....God's Grace.

In parenting a 2 year old last year, I was SURE it could not get any worse.  BOY, was I wrong.  This three year old's attitude, questions, and sweet innocent face are TOTALLY messing with me.  He does EXACTLY the opposite of what I ask him to do....JUST after I ask.

God gave me some morning quiet time last week, and I realized that I do the SAME thing.  God says, learn my Word--I complain I don't have time.  God's Word says--Love your neighbor, and I gossip or judge them.  God's Word says honor your parents (and I believe that applies to in-laws, too!) and I snap at them.  God says to honor your husband--and I ignore or complain.  My list goes ON and ON!

But there is freedom from all of my issues and my kiddo's.  Its Grace and Love.  I love him SO much that I forgive all his silly attitude issues and constant fighting with me.  God does it for US, too--and I am SO incredibly grateful for His grace and love.

When I am ready to loose it with my little guy, I remember that God gave me grace so I should attempt to correct and love my guy.

And we're BACK!

I'm back from a long vacation of blogging. I had a sister blog going and lost track for a while. Starting a new job, getting pregnant and raising a just turned 3 year old is AWESOME.  I want to continue to offer news, updates and advice for all those mommas out there!

What's Up with us!?  Here we go

1. We are pregnant with our SECOND boy.  And NO, we don't have any names yet.  We won't have them until delivery :)  We are due late October
2. Eph is 3 and SO sweet, adorable and fun!  Of course he is challenging, obstinate and moody.  Welcome to living with a preschooler! 
3. We are EXPLORING minimalism while still finding deals with coupons.  Doesn't sound like a contradiction, but to a stock piling momma--IT IS!  Join us on the journey.
4. Both mom and dad have new jobs. New jobs=new demands.  Be patient with us.
5. We have grown SO much closer to the Lord.  Seriously.  It will show through our posts!
6. I still want to share great deals with you--so lets get to it!

TARGET (which I only go to once per month Unless there is a sale) has their large bags of diapers on 15% off or more clearance. Pair that up with a Target Coupon $1/1 (from 4/29 PG, expires 6/9) and the $1.50/1 Baby Dry or $1.50/1 Swaddlers from coupons.com and you get a STOCK UP opportunity!  I got size 2 &3 diapers for about $0.16/diaper!

If you don't believe me, checkout one of my favorite sites, Baby Cheap Skate.  They have a cool match up weekly and a few awesome diaper growth and stock up sheet at the bottom. LOVE that site!

If you are wondering, YES I considered the cloth diaper deal. And YES I even bought some cloth diapers. I "calculated" out how much time and energy (from my home) it would cost for these cute cloth diapers and realized I wasn't going to do it. It was a hard decision, but I think I will spend my time invested in other baby stuff.

Photos of E's 3rd bday are posted on facebook and other social sites. Check em out : )

Christmas Card Sample

Fun Holiday Wishes Christmas

Shop Shutterfly for unique,Christmas card designs.

View the entire collection of cards.

Awesome awesome $10,000 giveaway here!
SO many lovely items. Enter asap! Ends tonight!

Thank you for visiting our blog.  We hope you have a blessed day!  To donate to our Mexico Mission trip fund, please see the link below.

More information is in a section of our request letter...

We are excited and encouraged to once again be writing you. It has been laid on my heart to return to Reynosa, Mexico again this year.  Through our church in St. Louis, Rooftop, I will be participating in the Homes for the Homeless projectwith Strategic Alliance again.

This year, the costs are right above $1,000 to send a servant to Reynosa.  This will cover travel, lodging, the building materials, and basic necessities such as blankets, towels, clothes, and other items the people in this area are unable to afford.

Last year, when we both attended we were incredibly blessed and filled with joy. We were amazed that the people of the colonia were happy and content with so little.  We immediately knew that our lives would never be the same.  With Stephanie's recent career change she is unable to go this year.

While in Reynosa, our group of 20+ people and around 6 other churches from around the nation, we will build houses for Mexican families who are in desperate need of adequate shelter. Strategic Alliance has been involved in building homes in this area since 1993.  This week is one of the largest programs through Strategic Alliance, as they also offer medical services, haircuts, worship times, children's ministries and a resource center with clothing, shoes and necessities.  We will also continue to build relationships with the people of the colonia and visit the families we built homes for last year.

We are asking for your assistance in anyway that you can provide it, not just financially.  We want to be in your prayers, thoughts, and conversations. We are hoping to continue to get more out of our encounters by sharing Christ with the people in the Reynosa colonia.

We need your encouragement and prayers. Please email or mail us a phrase or Bible verse that has inspired you as these will be reflected on while on the trip.