Weekly Blessings

I am a little late about posting this, and I am also a little late about updating my blog.  The month of November has flown by for me, and I have little time to do anything besides support my boys in their basketball, and for that I am thankful.  I am thankful that I have healthy boys.  Regardless if they played basketball, or played the tuba, I would still support them in whatever they chose.

Recently, my oldest son had his first "high school" scrimmage in a town a couple hours away.  My youngest son was in a tournament at the same time, so, I had to make a choice on which game I would watch, and since my youngest had already had several games, I chose my oldest sons scrimmage.  I went by myself, and my sister and brother-in-law took care of my youngest (along with Brandy and Cody  :-) ), so, I had a two hour drive all by myself.  Its close to Christmas, and money is a little tight around here, and I was talking to God, and just told Him, You know my needs, and I'm giving it to You.  At the time, I didn't know how I was going to get all the things my boys wanted for Christmas, along with the things they needed. (I'm still not sure, but, it's worked itself out so far...)

As I'm sitting at the game, beside a friend of mine, and a lady whose son plays for the varsity team (I'd never really talked to her before), we began talking about clothes.  This lady asked me if I knew anyone who needed a size 29 x 30 pair of mens jeans, and I said, well, that's what size my oldest wears, and she told me she had a brand new pair of name brand jeans in her car with the tags still on them, and I could have them.  I offered to pay her for them, and she wouldn't hear it.  She told me she would be tickled to just get the bag out of her car, it had been in there for a year.  So, my friend was going to her car anyway, and brought in this bag with a pair of jeans in them.  She didn't know how desperately bad my oldest needed new jeans, however, my Lord did!!!  And He provided!!!

I know that God knows my needs, and I know that He always provides, but, I am still amazed at all He does for my family and I, especially when we don't deserve it.  Those jeans, as simple as it sounds, were a blessing.

Two days later, a friend of mine gave my boys a bag full of name brand polo shirts...God is so good!!!

I'm not sure where all this blogging is going to lead, but, if it helps someone, whether it be by finding a great deal, or finding a blessing in the small things in life, I'm sure that God is here, guiding me every step of the way.

Weekly Blessings

After my computer crashed a couple weeks ago, I have been struggling to get back to posting on my blog, I am just so busy with my boys, it's really hard for me, so for that, I apologize to you all.

When I post a blessing that I've experienced each week, it's hard for me to choose just one blessing, because God has blessed me with so much.  Great kids, an awesome family, a super church, a good job, and much much more. 

The past few weeks, my kids have been running me to death with basketball.  However; I am so blessed to have my boys, I just don't know what I would do without them, and, if you are a parent you know what I mean when I say that I want for my boys, what they want.  And they both want nothing more than to play basketball, and to be honest, God blessed them with an athletic ability that I sure never had!!!

So, today, I am thankful that both of my boys made their basketball teams, my youngest made the 8th grade team, and my oldest is now playing high school basketball.  This may seem a little silly to be thankful that I am blessed with this, however, this makes my boys happy, and I love to see my boys happy!!!

I am also thankful that my oldest son got a good report at the doctor today.  I took him to the doctor on Friday, afraid that he had a fracture in his hand.  We were told that if he did have a fracture, he would be out at least 6 weeks, and 6 weeks to a 14 year old is a lifetime.  And, God answered my prayer!!!  He does not have a fracture and is good to go!!!  Praise the Lord!!!

Tuesday Tips!!!

Last week, I asked my readers to submit something they would like me to post a tip about...and I received a great question.  How do I justify the cost of the coupons verses the savings....(thanks Alyson!!!)

When I first began using coupons, I actually created a spreadsheet, and I kept track of how much I spent on coupons, and how much I saved by using my coupons.  I can tell you, that first month alone, I saved $153.00 OVER what I had spent on coupons.  I wish I still had that spreadsheet, but...my computer has crashed twice since then, so....

However, this question has got my interest sparked, so, I am going to create a new spreadsheet, and track my coupon "costs" to see just how much I am saving or spending.  I know that this past Sunday, I spent $10.00 purchasing five (5) papers to get my inserts, and then found out that I did not get my P&G insert, so, I had to find some on ebay to purchase...so, actually this would be a great thing for everyone to do.

Keep track of the ways you purchase coupons, like in  your papers, or if you purchase a magazine for the coupons inside, or if you use a coupon clipping service, then, when you go shopping and you use your coupons, keep track of how much you saved on each shopping trip.  I think you will be pleasantly suprised.

At the end of this month, I will post a complete breakdown of my coupon spending and my coupon savings, just to see how much I am saving!!!