30 Days of Thanks and Giving Challenge: Day 19- Welcome to Loserville

Ok, so I've been pretty distracted lately. Turns out remembering to do my challenge and remembering to write about what I did is harder to do than I thought. I can't seem to get myself to write a daily post and then I can't seem to remember to what I wanted to say the next day when I try to get caught up. So, as lame as this is, I think I'm just gonna give up on this for now and try again next November. Life with a newborn baby can get pretty hectic, not to mention helping a family member get through a difficult time for a couple weeks. So, I think I'm just gonna give it a rest, and just keep going with my blog and post whatever I want when I have time. I'm very glad I did this challenge, because I definitely learned a lot about my self- including he fact that I can't expect myself to post something daily!

30 Days of Thanks and Giving Challenge: Day 14

Day 14 Thanks: I'm so thankful that I got to spend time with lots of family and friends today.
Day 14 Giving: We took family portraits for some friends.(Ok, well Kurt took the pictures... I'll be doing all the photoshop.) Pics will be posted soon

30 Days of Thanks and Giving Challenge: Days 11-13

Day 13 Thanks: I went to a friend's wedding today, and it reminded me of one of the most important things to be thankful for. I'm thankful for marriage. I'm thankful that there is a bind that is so powerful, so intimate, and so eternal that unites two people. The vows that are spoken are not just said for the entertainment of the guests. They are words to live by. They are the lifelong promises that are made to your soulmate. Marriage is the most perfect example of love in it's truest form. And I'm most thankful for the man that I share that marriage with. Love you Kurt.

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So I realized I skipped a couple days... Finding things to be thankful for each day has been easy for me. It's not that hard to look at my own life and see how much I have been blessed. It's been fun trying to find something each day to write about being thankful for. 

But I gotta tell ya... this whole "giving to others" thing is harder than I thought it would be. Since I stay at home now, I'm not out and about having as many opportunities to interact with others as I used to. I'm trying to look back on the last couple days, and I feel like I haven't really gone out of my way to do anything for anyone else. 

Today, I went to a friend's wedding (as a guest! not working at the wedding!) The officiant said the same 1st Corinthians 13 that you hear at every wedding - including my own. It was such a good reminder to me about the true meaning of Love. 

Then I started thinking about my "lack of giving to others" the past few days. And then I realized something. We typically think of giving physical things or money or even volunteering our time to help others. But the greatest thing we can give another person is our love. And Love is defined by 1st Corinthians 13. So maybe I haven't given things or money or whatever to others. But everyone has opportunities everyday to give to others patience, kindness, protection, trust, hope and perseverance. We make decisions every day and can choose not to be envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, or be easily angered. 

{ Love Never Fails }

And that is why Love is the the ultimate gift. These words were spoken at my wedding, and I need to continue to remind myself every day that these are words to live by. These were the things I promised to my hubby on our first day of marriage. I will continue to LOVE (in every aspect of the word) my hubby for the rest of our lives.

I love you Kurt... more than you will ever know.

Click here to read more about my 30 Days of Thanks and Giving Challenge.

8 Week Old Cutie-Patootie!

30 Days of Thanks and Giving Challenge: Day 10

Day 10 Thanks: I am so thankful for having enough food to feed my family, even when times are tough. I'm glad I've mastered using coupons and sales to stretch my dollars even further. 

Day 10 Giving: I cleaned out my pantry and found food to donate to those who need it. I've been stockpiling whenever I find good deals, so my pantry has been pretty full lately. Does anyone know a local place in Simi to donate food?

---{   T  h  e     G  r  o  c  e  r  y     G  a  m  e   }---

I try to save money on the things I need to save up for the things I really want. So I have learned ways to save money on my groceries through a website called The Grocery Game. It is basically an interactive website that tells you what the best deals are every week at each grocery store and drug store that you shop at. It gives a list of items that are on sale and combines them with coupons to get the absolute lowest prices. There are even items that are free when combining sales with coupons. The great thing is they do all the research for you to save you time.

Since I started using this website, we have been saving over 50% on our groceries every time we shop. I once paid only $17 for $86 worth of groceries! This website has been such a blessing to our family. 

You get a 1 month free trial. So check it out just for fun for a month. If you sign up, it will ask if anyone referred you. I would greatly appreciate it if you give them my email- theuniqueone@mac.com so I get credit. I hope you give it a try. You'll save a ton of money on your groceries. Feel free to ask any questions. I'd be happy to help your family save money on groceries like I do.

Click here to read more about my 30 Days of Thanks and Giving Challenge.

30 Days of Thanks and Giving Challenge: Day 9

Day 9 Thanks: I am so thankful for my wonderful father in law Denis. Happy Birthday! We're so thankful for all you do for us- and all you're amazing hard work on our house!

Day 9 Giving: I made Denis a yummy cake for his birthday! I mixed in chopped up Kit-Kats. And sprinkled crunched Kit-kats and Butterfingers on top.. yummy! (And yes, that's a votive candle in the middle- I was out of birthday candles!!)

Click Here to learn more about my 30 Days of Thanks and Giving Challenge.

30 Days of Thanks and Giving Challenge: Day 8

Day 8 Thanks: I am thankful that I live somewhere that makes me feel safe, happy, and blessed.

Day 8 Giving: I bought a CD by my friend Shannon Sergey that she is selling to raise money for a charity she created to stop Human Trafficking. www.foreverfound.org

Forever Found is a nonprofit Christian organization founded in 2010 by Taylor and Shannon Sergey. They aid in the full rescue of children victimized by child prostitution and trafficking by supporting aftercare homes around the world that are effectively rescuing and restoring these victims.

Forever Found raises this support through the development and promotion of the works of musicians, artists, and writers who are willing to donate all or a portion of their proceeds to help these children.

We cannot ignore the reality of the evil going on around us. Open your ears to the cries of these children and take a stand. It is estimated that today 2 CHILDREN PER MINUTE are trafficked for sexual exploitation. This is happening all over the world, including America. 200,000 American youths have been forced into the sex trafficking industry in the United States alone. (U.S. Department of Justice)

The total market value of illicit human trafficking is estimated to be in excess of $32 BILLION (U.N.), with about $28 BILLION of this generated from commercial sexual exploitation (International Labor Organization).  Which shows  why this horrific  evil continues to flourish. (verse- hearts of men) 

In fact, After drug dealing, human trafficking is tied with the illegal arms industry as the SECOND LARGEST CRIMINAL INDUSTRY in the world today, and it is the fastest growing (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

This is EVERYONE’S PROBLEM. 

Immeasurably More, by artist Shannon Sergey, is an album produced with the sole purpose of supporting the rescue and restoration of children victimized by child trafficking and prostitution.

The goal of this particular project is to raise awareness and monetary support (minimum of $100,000) for 3 Christian aftercare homes who are effectively restoring these victims; 100% of album proceeds will be donated to these aftercare facilities rescuing these children.

Shannon is an old friend on mine and her voice is absolutely incredible. You can hear samples of the music on their myspace page.

Click Here to Learn more about my 30 Days of Thanks and Giving Challenge.