I received my absentee ballot in the mail yesterday. I opened the envelope and looked at the ballot sheet. I had no idea there were 9 teams up for presidential election. I've never heard of anyone other than the two major candidates and Ralph Nader... and I don't even know what he stands for! Looking up information on candidates for state and local offices proved to be fruitless. I couldn't find anything more than where they're from, the schools they attended and the career positions they've held. What I really want to know is what issues they stand for and what their moral values are. Where can I find such unbiased information?? It was so frustrating to be voting for people I don't know anything about.
In the end, I went ahead and voted for the presidential candidate I was originally going to vote for without finding information on the other unknown candidates. When my husband asked why, I told him that if I voted for an unknown candidate it wouldn't help in keeping a certain known candidate out of office... to which he agreed.
Who do we even contact to demand non-biased information on candidates view points and moral values?? I am outraged that I had to make these decisions with little to no information on the people I was voting for. I am greatly discouraged by the voting process and now realize why I never made an effort to make a vote previous to this year's presidential election. I don't mean to discourage anyone from voting because this will be a huge election year. Please, PLEASE, do whatever research you can before election day so you go into the voting booth informed about the people and issues on the ballot!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Funny joke my seester sent
Bob was in trouble -- he forgot his wedding anniversary.
His wife was really angry. She told him, 'tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less than 6 seconds AND IT BETTER BE THERE!'
The next morning, Bob got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up, she looked out the window and sure enough, there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway.
Confused and curious, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway and brought the box back into the house.
She opened it and found a brand new .... BATHROOM SCALE.
Bob has been missing since Friday.
Please pray for him.
His wife was really angry. She told him, 'tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less than 6 seconds AND IT BETTER BE THERE!'
The next morning, Bob got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up, she looked out the window and sure enough, there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway.
Confused and curious, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway and brought the box back into the house.
She opened it and found a brand new .... BATHROOM SCALE.
Bob has been missing since Friday.
Please pray for him.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Absentee ballot
I've decided the easiest way for me to vote would be by absentee ballot. Turns out, you don't even have to have a reason for requesting one! I can vote when I need to and not forget when voting Tuesday comes around.
GET OUT THERE (or stay home) and VOTE! It is my opinion that this will be the most important presidential election to date!
GET OUT THERE (or stay home) and VOTE! It is my opinion that this will be the most important presidential election to date!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Presidential Election
This will be the third presidential election since I turned 18. I have never voted before because I never had a clear picture about what a good president would be. Now, I cannot say that my view is any clearer this time around, but I have been seeking God's guidance specifically relating to the upcoming election.
Without naming anyone, I can tell you that it has been impressed upon my heart who to vote for. I will not vote for him because I believe that he will be a good leader, but because I know without a doubt that the other candidate is wrong for the job. So, I am going to get out there and vote and encourage you to do so as well.
I beg you to seek out the will of God in this election so we might have the leader in power that has been ordained by God. Then, get out there and vote!!
Without naming anyone, I can tell you that it has been impressed upon my heart who to vote for. I will not vote for him because I believe that he will be a good leader, but because I know without a doubt that the other candidate is wrong for the job. So, I am going to get out there and vote and encourage you to do so as well.
I beg you to seek out the will of God in this election so we might have the leader in power that has been ordained by God. Then, get out there and vote!!
An idea for pancakes
Everyone loves pancakes, right? All the butter and syrup we drown those tasty little cakes in... mmm! Maybe some whipped cream or powdered sugar... I like to serve pancakes with fruit, yogurt, applesauce and the like because it makes me feel better about serving pancakes to my family.
Well, I have a new favorite thing to put on pancakes and waffles! Just this morning I got the wild idea to put Yoplait Whips on my pancakes and it was wonderful! I had the feel-goodness of serving yogurt but the pleasure of something similar to whipped cream. I loved it and just had to share this fun and healthy idea!
Well, I have a new favorite thing to put on pancakes and waffles! Just this morning I got the wild idea to put Yoplait Whips on my pancakes and it was wonderful! I had the feel-goodness of serving yogurt but the pleasure of something similar to whipped cream. I loved it and just had to share this fun and healthy idea!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Saving money on baby stuff
I was thinking today about all the money we spend on baby things. Especially those things we just throw away... literally money in the garbage... how does that make you feel? So, I thought I would share just a little about what I know about store brands of baby items and maybe save you a few bucks too.
When Elijah (#1) was born, we went through several different diapers trying to find just one that he wouldn't pee out. It turned out that the cheapest brand Walmart had to offer was the only type that worked out for us. They were called Drypers at the time but have since changed to Parent's Choice. I swear by them and when people ask, that's the brand I refer them to. Also, the Target brand are great and run just about the same price as Parent's Choice.
A friend of mine recently read about a study out of England about disposable vs. cloth diapers and the cost effective-ness and eco-friendliness of each. Turns out, after washing and wearing and washing some more, cloth diapers really aren't more environmentally friendly than disposable diapers. In comes my cost effective analysis... I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO WASH DIAPERS!! I would prefer to throw the poop in the garbage and be done with it. Actually, I've pretty much convinced this same friend who is pro-cloth that disposable is totally worth the saved time should she have a third child.
Now, on to formula. I've breastfed and formula fed all my children in different combinations. I don't really care how many studies have been done on breast vs. formula feeding. In the end, you have to do what's right for you and your child. When Gideon (#2) was born, I was not a friendly person and I hated breastfeeding. I felt badly about that until I realized that I was a happier person after I had cut him off. I was able to breastfeed Noah (#3) exclusively for 6 mo. and it was a great experience. He is now on formula and I love it!
Here's my analysis of formulas... the store brands are just as good as the name brands that cost at least 3X more. I got a huge can of Parent's Choice formula for $2 less than a smaller can of Similac. Parent's Choice formula is quite similar to Similac. Noah didn't have any troubles taking the cheaper formula and we've even used it in conjunction with Similac. If I remember correctly, the Target brand is similar to Similac also.
The same holds true for baby wipes. The expensive ones aren't better than the store ones so save yourself the money! I've actually gone to making my own wipes out of paper towels and I enjoy them so much more. I encourage you to look up on-line how to make your own wipes. Its worth your time and money!
With the older two, we used the Playtex Nurser bottles with the disposable liners. They're great. I have no qualms with them... except when I think about how much money we spent on the liners. Noah is using the store brand reusable bottles and likes them just fine. I feel so much better about the cheaper option that I don't have to keep buying liners for!
We have a Diaper Genie. I've decided to quit buying the acutal liners for it and just use a good old garbage bag. If you can get a diaper pail that uses a garbage bag, you will save so much money. I don't even want to think about how much we've spent on the special liners in the 4+ years we've been in diapers.
I'm also making our own baby food for Noah. The price of the jarred baby foods has gone up so much since even Gideon was a baby and I just can't justify forking out that kind of dough. I buy fresh produce on sale or from the freezer and prepare, puree and freeze. It makes me feel good that I'm not wasting money on the special foods and I feel even better that I know exactly what's being put in my baby's mouth.
Now I'll get on my soap box for just a minute. STOP BUYING NAME BRAND CLOTHING FOR YOUR BABY!!! Let's think about it... they outgrow everything within 2 months time. Baby doesn't know or care what clothes he's wearing. The selections at Walmart and Target are getting better all the time. Chances are, you have a friend or two who bought clothes brand new and are just sitting around in a box. Don't be afraid to borrow clothes or outright ask for them. If you do choose to buy brand new clothes in a department or specialty store, don't let them sit around after Baby has outgrown them. There are lots of families out there who would be grateful for the help.
If anyone out there has any great baby money saving tips, shout out!!
When Elijah (#1) was born, we went through several different diapers trying to find just one that he wouldn't pee out. It turned out that the cheapest brand Walmart had to offer was the only type that worked out for us. They were called Drypers at the time but have since changed to Parent's Choice. I swear by them and when people ask, that's the brand I refer them to. Also, the Target brand are great and run just about the same price as Parent's Choice.
A friend of mine recently read about a study out of England about disposable vs. cloth diapers and the cost effective-ness and eco-friendliness of each. Turns out, after washing and wearing and washing some more, cloth diapers really aren't more environmentally friendly than disposable diapers. In comes my cost effective analysis... I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO WASH DIAPERS!! I would prefer to throw the poop in the garbage and be done with it. Actually, I've pretty much convinced this same friend who is pro-cloth that disposable is totally worth the saved time should she have a third child.
Now, on to formula. I've breastfed and formula fed all my children in different combinations. I don't really care how many studies have been done on breast vs. formula feeding. In the end, you have to do what's right for you and your child. When Gideon (#2) was born, I was not a friendly person and I hated breastfeeding. I felt badly about that until I realized that I was a happier person after I had cut him off. I was able to breastfeed Noah (#3) exclusively for 6 mo. and it was a great experience. He is now on formula and I love it!
Here's my analysis of formulas... the store brands are just as good as the name brands that cost at least 3X more. I got a huge can of Parent's Choice formula for $2 less than a smaller can of Similac. Parent's Choice formula is quite similar to Similac. Noah didn't have any troubles taking the cheaper formula and we've even used it in conjunction with Similac. If I remember correctly, the Target brand is similar to Similac also.
The same holds true for baby wipes. The expensive ones aren't better than the store ones so save yourself the money! I've actually gone to making my own wipes out of paper towels and I enjoy them so much more. I encourage you to look up on-line how to make your own wipes. Its worth your time and money!
With the older two, we used the Playtex Nurser bottles with the disposable liners. They're great. I have no qualms with them... except when I think about how much money we spent on the liners. Noah is using the store brand reusable bottles and likes them just fine. I feel so much better about the cheaper option that I don't have to keep buying liners for!
We have a Diaper Genie. I've decided to quit buying the acutal liners for it and just use a good old garbage bag. If you can get a diaper pail that uses a garbage bag, you will save so much money. I don't even want to think about how much we've spent on the special liners in the 4+ years we've been in diapers.
I'm also making our own baby food for Noah. The price of the jarred baby foods has gone up so much since even Gideon was a baby and I just can't justify forking out that kind of dough. I buy fresh produce on sale or from the freezer and prepare, puree and freeze. It makes me feel good that I'm not wasting money on the special foods and I feel even better that I know exactly what's being put in my baby's mouth.
Now I'll get on my soap box for just a minute. STOP BUYING NAME BRAND CLOTHING FOR YOUR BABY!!! Let's think about it... they outgrow everything within 2 months time. Baby doesn't know or care what clothes he's wearing. The selections at Walmart and Target are getting better all the time. Chances are, you have a friend or two who bought clothes brand new and are just sitting around in a box. Don't be afraid to borrow clothes or outright ask for them. If you do choose to buy brand new clothes in a department or specialty store, don't let them sit around after Baby has outgrown them. There are lots of families out there who would be grateful for the help.
If anyone out there has any great baby money saving tips, shout out!!
Brand new
Hello, all! Welcome to my new blog! I'm brand new at this sort of thing but think I'll like it!
I'm a stay-at-home mom of 3 boys ages 4 and under. With the economy heading in the direction it is, I thought I should get out there and connect with other moms in a similar situation as mine so we can offer hope and encouragement to each other.
Psalm 9:10 says something along the lines of "Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, will not abandon those who search for you." What a powerful truth to cling to in today's unstable society!
I'm a strong believer in the power of prayer. No matter is too small to bring to the Lord! I would love to hear from you and be an advocate to God on your behalf. You can trust that anything you tell me will be received in full confidence.
Bear with me as I get this site up and running and come up with creative ways to express those same old feelings that everyone has!
I'm a stay-at-home mom of 3 boys ages 4 and under. With the economy heading in the direction it is, I thought I should get out there and connect with other moms in a similar situation as mine so we can offer hope and encouragement to each other.
Psalm 9:10 says something along the lines of "Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, will not abandon those who search for you." What a powerful truth to cling to in today's unstable society!
I'm a strong believer in the power of prayer. No matter is too small to bring to the Lord! I would love to hear from you and be an advocate to God on your behalf. You can trust that anything you tell me will be received in full confidence.
Bear with me as I get this site up and running and come up with creative ways to express those same old feelings that everyone has!
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