Why Pray When I Can Worry?

Overheard in an Orchard

Said the Robin to the Sparrow "I would really like to know why these anxious human beings rush about and worry so."

Said the Sparrow to the Robin "friend I think that it must be that they have no Heavenly Father such as care for you and me."

-Elizabeth Chaney

If you have or have not read this on last months cover of Uplook...

Sidewalk (or house?) Chalk

A couple weeks ago I made the kids go outside to play on the porch while I fixed dinner. No more than 5 minutes later, I decided to check on them and found their payback. The coloring even went into the house through the open window. This was NOT funny to me at the time (for some reason messes make my blood pressure rise; my husband on the other hand would have thought it was hilarious), but I snapped some shots thinking it might be funny in the future.

Two posts in one day?! I'm just as shocked as you are!

This is my first "Frugal Friday" post and I want to say it isn't outlandishly frugal, but I still wanted to share it. The learning phase (thank you fellow bloggers) is what I'm in when it comes to coupons. If you're just getting started or you think coupons are a hassle, this is for you!

I LOVE shopping at Target (doesn't everyone?)! In the past, most of my grocery shopping has been at Wal-Mart (ugg); because it seemed to be cheaper. I would buy some groceries at Target if I only needed a few. Now, because of online coupons here, here, and here plus the ones that print out at the register (at the bottom of your receipt), I can grocery shop at Target and not feel guilty.

This makes me very happy!

Most of the coupons are for Target's own brands such as Market Pantry and Archer Farms. These are considered off brands, but are great quality with no cheap ingredients (I am very picky on my food brands, not good, I know.)! If you are into eating healthy these foods definitely fulfill such requirements.

Coupon using tips:

• Print out 10 or more and if something is on sale buy 10! Ex. Eggs were on sale last week 2/$1. I had 50c off a doz. coupon, so that made them free!

• Use manufacturer coupons (like those in the Sunday paper. These obviously can't be used with Target brand items)+ Target coupon + on sale = good deal

• Meats nearing expiration date have a coupon on the pkg. Use another coupon for a cheap price. Ex. I got rib eye steaks with $3 coupon on pkg. + $2 off Target coupon = $5 off.

• Print out all the coupons for the week and take them with you to Target there will be sales to match them with (some will be in their weekly ad).

This is all pretty simple. So come on beginners and Target lovers! Last week I had $26 off my bill and today $23 of what I would normally buy. I bought what we use and what we love with little effort and planning!

"And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live"

Deuteronomy 30:6

This verse blessed me this morning by looking at it personally:

"And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart"

Take my heart and purify it. Make it compliant with Yours.

"and the heart of your descendants"

Take my children and do with them what You want. Cause their hearts be turned toward You.

"to love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul"

Let our hearts and souls be undivided. Wholly and joyfully Yours.

"that you may live"

What a promise! True living is all my heart given over to You. A heart given to anything else is emptiness and death.

Southern Carribean Cruise

Day 1: Embarkment

Dustin, Julie, Andy, and I flew into San Jaun, Puerto Rico and boarded the Carnival Destiny ship. After getting settled in our cabins, we had a life vest safety drill. This was a little unnerving, but good to feel prepared. (We also heard the Titanic music playing during dinner one night.)

Day 2: Port of call, St. Thomas.

We took a wild open-air taxi ride to a great beach where we snorkeled and soaked up the sun.

Here's the beach.
Here's some shots from our white-knuckle taxi ride.

That's our ship down there, can you see it?
Day 3: Port of call, Dominica.

We payed a whopping $100 taxi ride to this destination. We were a little disappointed that it was a rocky beach, so we didn't relax there like we'd hoped. It did have great snorkeling, however, with champagne bubbles ascending from the floor of the sea. Dominica solely depends on tourism as their means of survival. It was humbling to see the poverty they live in.

This was formal dinner night. The menu was amazing EVERY night or anytime of the day for that matter. We ate to our heart's abundance. Good thing there were treadmills on the ship! Quite weird to be able to order anything from the menu. All 5 courses, twice over if you like! We LOVED the chocolate melting cake...are you drooling yet?

Day 4: Port of call, Barbados.
We went to the other side of the island which was so worth the trek because this is what we saw. Crane beach. Right next to a the home of Prince Charles. The sand was a creamy white with pink flecks, so gorgeous! This was a wave beach, so no snorkeling. We had a blast!

Yeah, he's in construction.
Ahhh, wouldn't you like to stay at the resort atop that cliff?
That night we played shuffleboard on the top deck.

Day 5: Port of call St. Lucia.

We went to Pigeon Island State Park for some hiking and beach bumming.

I love this pic!
Had some smoothies at this cute shack restaurant.

Played some frisbee.

Bye, bye St.Lucia!
What a cute pair.

Day 6: Port of call, Antigua.

We prebooked an excursion here which included kayaking, hiking and snorkeling. The water was the most beautiful aqua blue. We kayaked around mangroves which are a huge part of the earth's ecosystem. They are protection for the coast line and 80% of the fish population are hatched in them. They are those shrubby forests in the distance.

Conk.
Andy and I got a free tee shirt for winning the kayak race. Ha! I'm still not sure how we managed that. (Andy's quick lesson for me on how to paddle most effectively must have helped.)
Day 7: At Sea

After our disembarkment from the cruise is ship, we spent 2 days in San Jaun. This is where my brother lived for 4 years, so it was fun to see some of the city. Here is Old San Jaun, the pride of the city. Loved the architecture and paint colors!These are war ruins.


Everyone was flying kites.

Eating at Danny's Pizza. We weren't used to paying for our food, so we ate here twice because it was cheap.
Eating "monfongo", authentic Puerto Rican food. Uhhh, don't you guys like it?

One crazy tree!
We are really grateful that we got to do this trip. It was a refreshing getaway for Andy and I. Over and over we were amazed with the ocean world and how intricate yet vast and how gentle yet powerful it is. Really, it's order and intelligence points to God as the creator. Looking out into the waves and never- ending waters I got such sense of insignificance and at the same overwhelmed that He would think of me.

We're glad that Julie and Dustin pressured us into going, we will always have great memories! Thanks to my parents who watched our 3 sweeties, that was such a sacrifice.

Caden was "washing dishes" yesterday while I was working in the kitchen. We were practicing counting. He counted "one, two, three..."

I said, "ok, what comes next (I was thinking, "wow, maybe he'll be able to count to ten!").

He said excitedly, "A"!!!!!