Thank you, Jes!

Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loveth at all times..."

So, these past few weeks have been CRAZY busy... One reason being that my good friend, Jes, traveled all the way down from Nebraska just to see me. (Ha ha!) Ok, maybe it wasn't just to see me--but we did get to spend lots of time together, and it was a blast!

Jes and I have known each other since middle school... And let me tell you, she is one of THE MOST TALENTED PEOPLE I KNOW!!! It's ridiculous. : ) This girl has done all sorts of crazy and amazing crafts.

Jes and her Hunny Bunny, Sam.

A funny pic of us way back when... (She married her high school sweetie! Cute!)

Right now, Jes has her own home business, "The D.O.D. and Me", mainly making purses for army wives. They. Rock. : )

Ok, ok... Back to Thankful Thurs...

When she found out she was going to get to come down to Tennessee, we decided to hit the crafts (which for us mainly consisted of the sewing machine this time). We had so much fun and accomplished quite a bit.

Here is just a tiny sample of some of the things we did:

A way cute baby blanket and matching booties.

Mind you, this is just a sample. Some things I can't post, as they are still a secret to those who will be receiving them! : ) But, we will start having some fun and thrifty tutorials on how to make these items and much more! Yeah!

We had so much fun. I can't wait to get together again!

Thank you, Jes, so incredibly much. I learned so much from you and look forward to learning much more!

Your friend,

~Page

I love FREEBIES!!!

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

Ok... Who doesn't just love getting free stuff?!?!? : )

About a year or so ago, I started really getting into the blog world--following the different ones that peaked my interest... The first ones I really looked into were mostly about saving $$$$. I mean, who doesn't need to save a little extra? Esp. when you're building a house and raising a baby (DIAPERS COST WAY TOO MUCH!! HA HA!!). I take my role of homemaker very serious, and if I can save us any $$$, that's what I'll do!! ; ) The further I delved in, the more and more things I was shocked to see--like the huge number of free things offered online!! It is ridiculous!! Ha ha!! So I had to pass on the news!

Here are two of my favorite ways to save a little by getting free things:

http://www.freestufftimes.com/

http://www.mysavings.com/

Both of these websites scour the online world, finding TONS of free things that are being given away!!

I can't tell you what all I have gotten... Trash bags, paper towels, post it notes... Lotions, perfumes... Vitamins, pedometers... Diapers would probably be one of my top favorite items. And I have probably gotten more than a pack of them through samples, just in the short time I have been doing this. Magazine subscriptions are another favorite, like Traditional Home, Martha Stewart or even hunting ones for my man (there are lots of different mags, to each his own!)! You can get these for a whole year subscription free!! I have seen just about everything offered through these samples! Love them!!!!!!

I hope you'll go and check out these sites, and use them to get a few free things! I signed up for the daily emails so I can see what is new each day.

A few quick points of caution:

1) This can be extremely addictive! : )

2) Be picky about your samples. Some of them truly are just junk.

There is nothing like going out to your mailbox every day and getting a little free gift! Let me know what you think! Hope you enjoy!

~Page

Dry Cleaning - UGH!

Proverbs 31:27 "She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."



I happen to be one that is attracted to clothes that say those dreaded three words on the label. "Dry Clean Only" I HATE taking clothes to a dry cleaners, it's time consuming, a big pain, and expensive!

Then....I found Dryel (and I saw the light from heaven shining down, and heard the choir of angels) I love this stuff! It's so simple and easy to use. In my humble opinon, I believe it does the same thing that any Dry Cleaner would do.


Click here to read about how it works. It simply steams your clothes in the reusable dryer bag and for the $10 starter kit - you can do up to four items of clothing. It really is SO easy! Oh and just the other day, I "Dry Cleaned" two of my husbands WOOL suits!! I've used it on a variety of items- dry clean only, delicates, etc. I've been very satisfied with the outcome.

**I have an HE dryer, but it should work fine with any dryer that you can control the heat.

Watch for coupons, and buy the starter kit and refills with them. Consider this a brief, FYI post, that will hopefully save you some time, money, and a lot of hassle. Try it out, and I hope you'll be as pleased as I was!

~Lauren

You just never know....

Proverbs 31:26 "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."

Yesterday, our Pastor challenged us to look sincerely at those around us seeing people as souls on their way to an eternal destination. I appreciated the challenge, and took it to heart.

When you're sitting in traffic, are you thinking about how much time you're wasting or are you thinking about those sitting in the cars around you? When you're in line at Starbucks, McDonalds, etc, are you thinking about what you'll order or do you think about those that stand in line right next to you?

Often times I think we are too distracted to be thinking about opportunities to witness to others. I know, to my shame, this has been true for me. How many times have we missed an opportunity because we're thinking about ourselves, the temporal, or just the daily routines of life?

You just never know when the Lord will put someone in your path to share the gospel with. You just never know who's heart is searching for more than this world has to offer. You just never know how much an impact you can make on someone. I was reminded of this just yesterday, and am excited for what the Lord is doing with this precious soul that I was able to witness to 5 months ago!

The Bible says in John 4:36-37 "And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth."

We may never see the full outcome of a witnessing opportunity. We may only be the one to "plant the seed". However, we never know what God is doing in the heart of a person. We don't know if we'll be the one to plant, water, or reap! Our job as Christians is to stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and look for opportunities to share what God has done in our lives! The glorious salvation message found in God's Word is too important & wonderful not to be shared!!

I hope that you'll "meditate" on this and be challenged to see those around you as precious souls with an eternal destination somewhere....

~Lauren

Thankful Thursday: My Little Red Head

Psalm 127:3 "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is His reward."

This Thankful Thursday, I just had to post about our family trip to Dollywood, and watching a little boy's "dream come true". : )

There is nothing like having a child, and watching them grow. Our son, Little Red, is such a cool kid. Hilarious, smart, inquisitive, and busy are just a few of the words that best describe him (and did I mention hilarious?!??!) Every day is an adventure, every day there is something new.

This particular post zeros in on one of his favorite things: Trains!

Just look at him, so tiny, by that huge train. He studies it, listens to it, and then runs straight for his daddy to show him his new discovery. "Daddy, look!", he exclaims... several times. We just smile and laugh.

He takes off to go get on the train so we can ride, even though it doesn't leave for another 15 minutes. That doesn't matter--he's on the train!

A quick snack makes the time go by a little easier and quicker. It's extremely hot and humid. And I'm trying to get him to drink as much water as possible, but he can't hardly focus on water, because the train whistle is blowing! Eyes brighten, "Choo choo! Choo choo!" This is a very big deal.

We put his sun glasses on, because it's way bright. Then, I see just how much he looks like his daddy. I love that he is so much like his daddy.

The train finally pulls away and we go on a 20 minute ride up the hill and back. Little Red is totally enthralled, particularly when the whistle blows.

I enjoy this train ride, more than any other I have ever been on. This enjoyment doubles and triples for me through my son. I'm happy because he is so happy! : )

I truly do feel "the fruit of the womb is His reward." Children are a blessing. I am very thankful for my son!

2 Corinthians 9:15 "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."!!!!

~Page