{Coupon Virgin}

After attending a Basic Couponing class a few months ago, reading multiple couponing blogs, and watching Extreme Couponing on TLC...today I bit the bullet and went on my first coupon excursion. Mallorye went with me and I think we did ok.

I spent the week clipping coupons and scouring the ads to see what the best deals were...

....then in true OCD fashion...I organized my coupon binder :)

I was nervous....I thought I had my ducks in a row...but I didn't count on stores being sold out. Walgreens was out of pretty much everything on my transactions list...so this was all I got and it wasn't just a tremendous savings.

...but I persevered. Fred's was a success!

Overall, I spent roughly $40 today for $80 worth of product. Not quite as good as the people on TV with their 98% savings...but I'm thinking 50% savings on my first trip is pretty good and I'm sure I'll just get better as I learn the ropes.

I'm excited to see what new sales the week brings :)

{Your Opinion Matters}

Finally...someone has recognized that among National Guard/Reserve deployments, that the spouses are also struggling to readjust. Having been through two deployments, I definitely feel that often times, the spouses are falling through the cracks. There are programs to support the soldier, the children, and family in general...but nothing for the spouses specifically. The programs that are in place aren't cutting it.

Well...insert Cynthia. She's a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Hawaii's Department of Psychology and the principle investigator for a new study that focuses on post-deployment experiences of National Guard and Army Reserve spouses. She acknowledges that research is lacking for spouses of National Guard/Reserve soldiers and how post deployment marital distress and behavioral health is affecting the spouses. I'm excited! This study could be extremely beneficial in making our lawmakers and military officials aware that there is a gap in support. I believe that if you want a strong soldier, healthy in body & mind, then he needs a strong family and that starts with the spouse.

Please...please...please...take the time to take Cynthia's survey. It's completely anonymous and she needs your honesty. Check it out here.

Happy Mother's Day

One of the greatest joys of my life is definitely my children....it took me a while to find my wings as a mother, but once I did, I embraced it wholeheartedly.

Mothering takes creativity...each child is different and requires a completely different approach.

Mallorye, now married, has always been my compassionate one...more concerned about everyone around her than her own self. As an adult, she's become one of my best friends and is quick to pick up on when things are off with her momma...lol. She is such an encourager and often surprises me with a card on a little "happy" to cheer me up.

Blake is definitely my "lover of life." He likes to be busy and often states that he's "bored." Unfortunately, cleaning his room is not his idea of a cure for boredom...lol. I'm enjoying watching Blake develop into his own person and to see how his integrity is really starting to develop.

I was so blessed to have both of my children with me at church on Mother's Day, along with my son-in-law. I love that we serve at the same church and that my daughter & son-in-law choose to be a part of the small group that my husband and I teach. How awesome is that?!

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

{Where Has The Time Gone?}

Wow....two months have passed since I've written a blog. There is no way I can completely recap the past few months, but I'll try to hit a few highlights.


First, the last time I wrote on the blog I was facing some big things;


(1) My mom had her PET scan come back irregular and had to have some follow up testing done. Mom is 4 years in remission from colorectal cancer and we really don't want any relapses (who does?) I don't have to tell you, that I was fearful, but praise God! her follow up tests came back all clear and we are still cancer free :)


(2) My best friend from high school and I were toying with the idea of starting our own photography business...that was 2 months ago....since then, we've shot a wedding, booked 3 additional weddings, & have 5 other family/children bookings. We also have a website and we're awaiting the arrival of our business cards. We're having a blast offering cutting edge photography and capturing the personality of our clents. Check us out at BRAG Photography! Just don't be too hard on us...we're still learning :)


I also left my job of 12 years to begin a new adventure. This was such an agonizing decision for me. I loved the people I worked for and with, but knew that God was calling me to move. He opened a door for me in the same line of work, but with an added bonus...I would also have an opportunity to work with Camp Hope, a treatment facility for women struggling with addictions. What an amazing privilege! I'm loving the new job and my stress level has decreased dramatically. I miss the people I worked with, but I'm making new friends..new relationships...and being obedient to God.


Blake finished up track season as 10th in District in the High Jump and 3rd in the Mile Relay.

{Blake competing in the High Jump at PHS}

We celebrated Easter in the rain...and little Daniel was saved on Easter morning. Praise the Lord!

{Caleb hunting Easter eggs in the rain...don't ya love his umbrella set up?}

And speaking of rain...it has rained her for the past week and more is on its way. My mom lives in the neighboring town of Pocahontas, which has been completely isolated by the floods. The waters are over the doors of the local WalMart and stretches 5 miles outside of the river (Black River). The Black River is considered flood stage at 19' and today it reached 29'...it just blows my mind. I have never seen anything like it. Please pray for our area....Arkansas was also hit with devastating tornadoes just before the floods began. It's devastating...absolutely devastating.

{Elnora Free Will Baptist Church...this is my grandma's church)}

So...that's the quick update...now to see if I can stay up to date ;)

Being Still....

That pretty much sums it up.

The end of February and first of March have proved to be challenging, but I'm waiting...believing...being quiet...and still...before my God.

{Project Life...Week 6}

It's that time again...Project Life Tuesday...on Thursday..because I'm so not with it this week. AND..I don't have any pictures of my layouts because...well...I don't have them done..yet...but I do have the pictures, so that's a start!

Sunday 02-06
Celebrating the Super Bowl with our Small Group....the guys yelled at the television while the girls played cards...These are the newlywed/engaged girls...Brittany, Mallorye, & Melissa. We love our small group and are enjoying just doing life with these people.

Monday 02-07
Freshman night at Doc Paynter's Court. Blake's girlfriend, Taylor, is a Jr. High Cheerleader...these girls did a great job cheering our boys on this year to a Conference Championship.

Tuesday 02-08
I voted "YES" today for the millage increase for the Paragould School District...money that will help build a new school and improve some of the older facilities.

Wednesday 02-09
Snow Day #3...Mallorye enjoyed catching snow flakes, while Blake tried to fake a snow angel with a broom (lol)...Matt, Mal, & Luke came down later and pegged our windows with snowballs. All in all....a great snow day!

Thursday 02-10
A crock-pot full of homemade stew is just what the doctor ordered for the sickness going around in our house.

Friday 02-11
No Picture Today....

Quentin took Blake to the Arkansas Sportshow and I'm using this as a backdrop for their tickets.

Saturday 02-12
View from The Austin Hotel in Hot Springs, AR

Me, Quentin, Matt, & Mallorye went to Hot Springs to watch the Mrs. Arkansas Pageant...Mal is considering competing next year and we thought Matt should see what he was getting into...lol.

So, hopefully I will get back on track next week and be on time!

As always, there is some creative people out there...so go check them out on Jessica's blog...right here!

{Project Life...Week 5}

I'm a few days late posting, but I've been busy with life this week and for that I won't apologize :) Anywho...better late than never...Week 5 of Project Life!

Left side of my layout...

....and the right side.
Exciting, I know. Now for the good stuff. The daily pictures...that's really what you want to see anyway. (insert drum roll)

Sunday 01-30
I've mentioned that we host small group (Life Group) in our home every Sunday night...the children go to Mallorye & Matt's house with one adult and I try to have an activity for them to do that goes along with the devotional that they will be going over. The kids seem to really enjoy it and it makes it pretty easy on the adult leader. I love that we're ministering to both the adults in our group...and their children.

Monday 01-31
Blake had a ballgame tonight...not just any ballgame....but a game against crosstown rival Greene County Tech. These games are always intense, but this time our boys had something to prove...GCT triumphed in an earlier game in the season, but not tonight! PJHS won this round 44-26 maintaining bragging rights!

Tuesday 02-01
I was scheduled to work late today, so Mal skipped class to come and work on our Project Life albums before I went to work. I normally wouldn't encourage skipping class, but she wasn't going to miss anything this particular day and I kinda like hanging out with my daughter :)

Wednesday 02-02
I receive a text reminder every month to perform my monthly breast self-exam...they are always so light-hearted and funny and this one was soooo cute!

Thursday 02-03
My desk at work. This is where I spend most of my time it seems. You'll notice my phone and water bottle are in easy reach and beside my phone is my scripture memory cards.

Friday 02-04
...and this is where I live. An aerial view of my neighborhood courtesy of Google.
We really enjoy our neighborhood...it's quiet (for the most part), a great neighborhood to take evening walks, it's close to pretty much everything, and we live just a few houses down from Matt & Mallorye (which I think is pretty wonderful).

Saturday 02-05
I spent the day with a kindred spirit...my friend Kellie. We met back in 2002 through an online group and have been friends ever since...we share a love for scrapbooking, singing, and most importantly God. I always leave Kellie's refreshed and wondering why we don't get together more often. Her and her husband, Terry, are the real deal and I love them :)

So, 5 weeks of documenting my daily life...I think it's almost a habit!

If you enjoy checking out my pictures, I bet you'd like others too...so go to Jessica's blog and check out other Project Lifers.