So a little update.....

Wow... this blog has ended up nothing like I wanted it to be.  Three kids is a lot of work! I posted so much more often when I was working full-time...oh that's right I had an hour uninterrupted everyday for lunch... I don't remember that at all.  :)

My kiddos are growing - Miss L is now 4 1/2 and anxious to start homeschool.... although the other day she told me where she was going to hand her coat and lunch box in the homeschool room... not sure she understand it yet! Mr J is my very active and stubborn 2 1/2 year old. I love him to death but some days if it wasn't for nap time I would be in tears by time daddy got home (and sometimes I am)! Miss N is my precious new one at 6 months old she is just perfect. A very pleasant and happy baby. I am truly blessed.

I have started contributing to a friends blog once a week (I'm hoping it makes me more accountable!). I'll be over at The Mommy Goods on Thursdays - check out my expanded about me post today! There's also a link to a pretty cool product testing program on there!

So I do hope to continue posting regularly and will try to remind you to head over to TMG from time to time. Blessings to you all.....

Class Information

I am teaching another workshop on saturday so I've compiled this go-to list of direct links.  I hope many of you find it helpful.

Below are a couple lists of surveys, reward programs, and other special programs that I have had success with on many levels.  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or want invited to the email invite ones - andtheycallherblessed @ gmail (dot) com

On-Line Shopping Reward Programs

Ebates - Sign up and earn a $10 gift card!!!
Shopathome - Sign up and receive a free $5 credit!!!
Mypoints - email invite
*You have to place a $25 order to receive your gift card/credit. If you buy stuff at Wal-Mart just place an order online and have it shipped to store... you'll receive cash back plus your gift card/free credit. easy!

Coupons/Other

Swagbucks (surveys, coupons, polls, shopping) - if you surf the web this is the EASIEST way to earn e-amazon cards.
Coupons.com - printable coupons
Saving Star (double dip coupons - paypal, e-amazon card, etc)
P&G Sampler (LOTS of free coupons and samples)
Bestmark Mystery Shopping - referral code - PA7978 - email invite - complete visit within 30 days to stay active
RecycleBank -  easy way to earn coupons, discounts, etc

Surveys

Mommy Talk Surveys - In just a couple months I have made some serious $$$ :) (this is a new one!)
National Consumer Panel - I love this one!
Pinecone Research - free products!
Toulna Surveys - email invite
Synovate/Ipsos I-Say Surveys
Mysurvey - huge success with this one!
Surveys.com
Valued Opinions
NO to Panda Research!

Websites I Use Daily

Hip2Save
MoneySavingMom
LadySavings - Giant Eagle
Heavenly Homemakers
The Thrifty Mama

Please see this link - for daily deal sites.

*The links in this post are my referral links - I receive a very small reward when you sign up. Sort of like virtually tipping me :)

Miss Naomi

It's been pretty quiet here... 3 weeks ago I was blessed with my third child. Another girl! 

Some of you read the story on facebook but for those who haven't.... here it is.

So here's my story....

I went to bed last night feeling perfectly fine - some mild ligament pains but no contractions. Got up to pee 3 or 4 times and at 4 after I got back on the couch Rufus rang the bell to go outside and pee. I couldn't believe it. So thankfully I put on my robe and opened the door and saw snow! Was mumbling under my breath and Rufus at this point - stepped out onto the porch to grab his tether and my water broke. On the front porch. At 4AM. In the snow. I was FREEZING... and the water was gushing so I didnt want to go back inside and yet I knew I had to somehow get Nathan awake (who was upstairs sleeping!!!).

At that point I was having no contractions or any pain.  Yelled for Nathan and he thankfully heard me and came running....  Called my mom she came over to watch the kids.  I gave Rufus a treat - I would have cried had that happened on my couch!  We got in the car and headed to the hospital.  At no point am I in pain yet.  Get admitted and checked - 5cm.  Contractions feel like cramps at this point.... about an hour later they check me - 6cm.  Contractions are getting stronger and really close together - she's sunny-side up so it's back labor and I can't control the panic of pain.... ask for an epidural because i can feel myself losing control at the frequency and intenstity of the contractions.  Epidural man shows up and I get it about 7:30. I am 7cm at this point. check me again - 8cm, one more 9cm... soon it's 10cm.

8:18 - Dr decides it's time to get dressed - I push once and she crowns and turns over. Push again and they realize the cord is around her neck. Push again and out she comes... huge baby! I'm laughing and talking at this point... no pain, feeling wonderful.  And we're good. I don't have one tear or stitch... can not believe it.  At 8.10 I figured I was in trouble for some major pain.  But literally feel wonderful today.

PRAISING GOD all the way on this one. :)

Really?

September 19th was my last blog entry????  Where does time go?

I can't believe how quickly time is moving along right now.  I'm finally at 35 weeks preggo and can't wait till the finish line.  I am just ready to be able to breath again and not be out of breath just by standing up! I know my little ones are ready to have their mommy back as well.  Pregnancy takes so much out of you.

The addition project is coming along slowly but surely.  We are under roof and much more relaxed about getting everything done.  Although as the weather gets colder I'd like to get the insulation put in and get it all sealed up... BUT if that doesn't happen it will be OK too.

I'd like to get back on track with posting regularly here again.  I really enjoy it and have felt bad for not being more regular and diligent with my posting.  I really hope that once the baby comes, the holidays are out of the way and the new year begins that I will finally be able to start a regular schedule/routine. My husband and I jokingly refer to February as our 'ok month' things will finally be OK by then. ha! :)

So total random post but wanted to say... I'm still alive!

Why I LOVE Swagbucks!

My baby boy turned 2 almost 10 days ago.  I can not believe it and am amazed everyday by my little boy.  He is such a blessing to us.


And he is ALL boy... ha! He is obsessed with motorcycles.  He loves them - really he loves anything that moves and has wheels. I found this adorable ride-on motorcycle and just knew he would love it.  There was no question he was getting this gift - but I wasn't sure how we were going to pay for it......


I had almost forgotten about Swagbucks and how many I had accumulated so far.  Did you know you can get a $5 e-Amazon card for only 450 points? So I started redeeming my points and before I knew it I had plenty to cover the entire cost of motorcycle.


If you don't use Swagbucks you need to start!  You can earn points by taking surveys, daily polls, shopping, etc.  The main and pretty much only way I earn SB is by searching the web.  I downloaded the tool bar and use it every time I need to find something on the web - even if I know where it is - I probably search for 'facebook' eight times a day. :)  But that's ok - it's a super easy way to rack up points.

Once you've accumulated 450 points you just start redeeming them for gift cards - you can only redeem 2 'like' rewards a day, and 5 'like' rewards in a month - so you do need to plan ahead for bigger purchases. But you can stack these rewards so it's not a problem at all to 'stock pile' them.


So make sure you sign up now and get started on earning some swag!


And no worries I will post a picture of my buddy opening his gift - I can not wait to see his face!

His wonderfulness

I was snuggling on the couch reading to my babies the other day and as we reviewed the story of Moses and his great adventure I was struck with how awesome it would have been to have that pillar of clouds leading us towards freedom.  How 'in your face' it would have been to visibly see and experience that.

And then I thought 'wouldn't it be nice to have that currently - just something that says 'hey - yes I am here, yes I will lead you, I am visible to you in more than just your faith'.'

We are having a joint celebration for my two babies this year - my daughter will be 4 and my son 2 with just one month between.  With baby #3 arriving in early November it was easier on all of us to just have a joint party.  But the addition has been taking up so much of our time and energy (and money) I was worried about the provisions for the party.

And then I opened my email yesterday.....  "You've been selected to host the Johnsonville Pizza House Party"!!!!!

Are you serious?

It was an answer to an unspoken prayer for sure.  And then I stopped - was this my pillar of clouds? Was this God's way of saying 'I am here and I am visible to you'?

I am so thankful for these kind of reminders that He is always here and will always provide!

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Quiznos Q-Club

It's their 30th anniversary!

Quiznos is offering some great coupons - sign up here - they include:

- Free Chip or Cookie and Regular Fountain Drink
- Free Sub with purchase
- $1 Off 1 Sub, $2 Off 2 Subs, $3 Off 3 Subs
- $2 Off a Regular or Large Sub 

 I love Quiznos and can't wait to go use these soon - it helps that I also love a good coupon!

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I do receive a small compensation for you signing up.  All it includes is 1st page submit (which I'm pretty sure is just your email!).  It's like leaving me a small tip. hee hee!