sevenchicks

back to school coupons

by photochick~ If you're couponing, you might want to check out these back to school coupons in a pdf to print HERE.

A few of the deals:

15% on Birthday in a Box (wish I had that a few weeks ago)

25% off RussellandHazel.com (the coolest binders ever, I blogged about my mini binder once that I use to organize my grown up life)

If you have a Walgreens close by, I also read somewhere that they have a Back to School coupon booklet near the door by their regular sale paper. Might be worth checking out.

Do you have any links to coupons or good avice for saving money for back to school supplies?

love yourself

by socialchick~ I don't know why I'm writing this post except that I feel like someone needs to hear it so to whoever you are here you go.

STOP taking yourself so seriously and love who God made! Sometimes we try to be so serious and walk the right line that we don't even enjoy who God has made. Stop trying to change who you are because God created you and loves you! Don't let anyone else try to change you either. You are who you are and that is a great person! Stop trying to please everyone else and always trying to be the mature and responsible one. Enjoy life. Enjoy your personality.  Just enjoy you!

I had to learn this many years ago. I thought that because I am loud and like to talk that I should change. Well I was wrong. I like that I'm loud, crazy, and enjoy any situation that I am in. If you can't have fun with what you have or what you are doing then when can you have fun!

Sometimes we get so caught up in our own problems and stress that we don't realize the hurts and problems of others around us. That is an attack from satan. If he can make us concentrate on only our own problems then we forget about loving our friends and neighbors. So what, you have a few problems to work out. Stop focusing so much on your problems and try to help someone else and your problems may disappear!

This is not to any individual person or anyone I know. It is just something that has been stirring around in my head. Have fun with life because you only live it once. Have fun with what God created! Use what God has created for your advantage! Don't put it down and try to destroy it.  Embrace it and love it because you are His masterpiece!

mother of the year

by socialchick~ Ok ladies and men it is time to fess up. That's right, it is time to tell all of your mother or father of the year moments. What are mother of the year moments?  Well we (the chicks) say that these are moments that we mess up big as mothers.

Let's make each other feel a little better about making mistakes. So I will start. When Ms. Priss was a couple of weeks old I was lotioning her up after a bath and the lotion bottle slipped out of my hands and fell right onto my new tiny's face. I called Mr. Social crying as he calmed me down and told me that she was going to live and that it was an accident.

When Little Sis was 11 months old I took her to Disney World with the flu. What was I thinking? Someone should of shot me and made me stay home. The doctor said that it would be fine and to go ahead but I should of listened to that mommy voice in my head.

I will tell on someone else. I'm not going to use names. Mother of the year carried her little girl to the babysitter like she does every morning and kissed her good bye and off she went. Baby had been there a couple of hours when babysitter went to make her a bottle because it was time to eat. Babysitter could not find a bottle. That is right. Mother forgot to bring a bottle. So needless to say babysitter had to hold baby off for about 30 minutes until someone brought a bottle for baby. The mother felt horrible but we all make mistakes.

My mother in law tells a story about leaving a child behind. My husband is the oldest of five so I'm pretty sure that it could be hard to keep up with all the kids. One day theygot home from church and realized someone was missing. That is right they left Mr. Singerchick at church. He didn't load up when she called and she didn't realize that he didn't get into the vehicle. This is something that she looks back and laughs at now and so do all of us.  But I'm not sure Mr. Singer thinks it's funny.

So what are some of your mother of the year moments? You know, the mistakes or bad decisions you have made that make you feel like someone should come and take your little one from you because you are not the best mother for them. Please share all! It is something that you can look back on now and laugh.  So let's all laugh together!lol!

do i have to

by socialchick~Remember plannerchick sharing with you her mountain high of laundry that she hates to do. Well I thought that I would share with you the chore that I hate the most. It seems like I have to do this everyday and it gets so repetitive and boring. Please do not judge me but here I go.

 

I hate, let me repeat myself, I HATE loading and unloading the dishwasher. I HATE washing and drying the dishes. I have no problems with cooking and eating but I hate cleaning up after the meal. I usually don't let it get this bad but I have been dreading it.

So what chore do you hate the most? Do you ever let your kitchen get this bad or am I the only one?

organizing idea for little girls

by photochick~ I saw this an in Parents magazine, I believe, while waiting in the doctor's office last week and thought it was so great and simple . . .

To organize all of those tiny barettes, and later little earrings and necklaces, you simply use ice trays. Yep, ice trays. They are stackable and have tiny compartments to keep barettes and jewelery organized by color, theme, etc. I mentioned it to my mom and she said she's seen the idea before for organizing grown up jewelery. Hmmm . . .

Then I found THIS article about 5 things to organize with ice trays. Good ideas. I especially like the one about using an ice tray to sort your pocket change (isn't sorted change easier to SPEND?). Not that I scrapbook, but I read several scrappers' blogs for some unknown reason and I couldn't help but think how many tiny embellishments would fit perfectly in a stackable ice tray.

Yes, I'm crazy. So, I like to organize. Not that you could tell from looking at my house. And the ice tray idea is particularly great to me because they are so cheap. Have you priced organizers lately? Forget the container store, even at Wal-Mart and Target they can get pricey. So a cheap solution is one I'm game for. Any other ideas for tiny items you could organize with ice trays?

going crazy

by socialchick~I haven't blogged all week because nothing has happened all week and the social lion inside of me feels the need to roar. I feel like something is rising up in me that I'm having to control before I have a green hulk explosion. You know, when you feel like you're about to rip your clothes off and turn green. I don't experience this a lot but today has been an emotional day.

I need to get out of the house but it's impossible. It is too cold and I have three kids here that I don't feel like getting ready and loading up. I don't feel like loading up one kid much less three. I just want to get out by myself and drive. I have been home all week, everyday and have cleaned up mess after mess. Just today I have picked up a whole box of Captain Crunch, a bag of M&Ms, and a handful of puffs off the floor. I have changed four diapers (3 poop), three changes of clothes, fixed four bottles and a bowl of mac and cheese, fed two bowls of cereal, and have changed the channel at least a dozen times to make Miss Priss happy.

Is there ever a day that you hate your job? Well today is that day for me. Yes I'm having a pitty party but you are my outlet so you get to hear all of it. I'm sure tomorrow or next week will be better but today I'm going crazy. Babychick don't worry your child is in no harm but Miss Priss is another story. Just playing, don't call DCF yet. I'm trying to have patience with her but all she wants to do is make messes and stay up under me. HELP!

So how is your day going? Are you enjoying your job today or are you ready to throw in the towel. Tell me that I'm not going crazy and that everything will be better tomorrow. I'm just ready for someone (I prefer Mr. Social) to take me away!

sit back and enjoy

by socialchick~ Last week I had to go to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned. I had no cavities ( thank God because I'm scared to death of the dentist read here if you don't remember) but left with a completely different view of life. This may be something that all of you already know but it is something I take for granted.

While getting ready for my appointment Miss Priss dropped my comb (that I do everything with) down the vent. I couldn't get the vent open to get it so I had to go to the Dentist with flat, unstyled hair. I was a little perturbed. Once I got there I didn't know if I had even completely gotten ready or not. Just one of those days. Who knows if I got to brush my teeth. (laugh! but sometimes as a stay at home mom I forget)

I have one of the nicest and best hygienist in the office. She knows my fear of the Dentist and has always told him to take it easy on me. So anyways, she has two girls, 1 is in College and the other in High School so she knows a few things about raising 2 girls. We were talking about (or I was trying to talk with tools in my mouth) what Miss Priss had done. She told me to laugh about it and that no one but me would ever remember that I came to the office with unstyled hair. She told me to enjoy the small things because they would be engaged and married before you know it.

Then I read a blog this past week that showed me that every hour with my girls is precious. This lady had only two hours with her brand new little girl but those two hours were cherished. I am not promised tomorrow so why not enjoy today.

Don't get me wrong there are days that are hard but I need to start finding joy even in the bad times. Of course there will be times that I have to spank Miss Priss but I need to thank God for giving me a Priss that wines when she doesn't get her way or has a 22 year old attitude at time. I just need to thank God that I have her so that I can discipline her. Please don't read this wrong I don't enjoy spanking her but I'm thankful to have her here to discipline. Before Christmas I complained constantly about being a stay at home mom and how I needed a break. Well my view has changed. Yes I still need breaks but I'm so blessed to be able to stay at home with the girls. It is a hard job but it is a job that I do with honor.

So lets all try to find joy in the hard times and the bad moments. Remember that God promises us that the sorrow only lasts through the night but joy comes in the morning.

dieting thoughts

by socialchick~I'm just going to go ahead and put this out there. Dieting SUCKS!!! I have never been one who diets. I think this is only the 3rd time that I have dieted. So here are some of the thoughts and complaints about my two days of dieting.

I'm starving to death so I think that I will sit down and eat my lunch early. I sit down to a Lean Cuisine or Smart One that looks somewhat good and it is gone within 3 beeeeep beeeepin bites. Could you at least give me 5 bites?

I wonder how many calories is in one bite of Tiny's baby food?  Do I have to count it if I just lick the jar?

If Miss Priss eats one more gold fish or piece of candy around me I'm going to send her to her room for the rest of the day.

Around 4:30 I'm pacing the floors wanting Mr. Social to hurry and get home so that we can eat supper. Yes I started supper around 3:30. Who says supper has to be late?

I need to get out of the house and away from all of this food. I feel like the dog that can smell bacon. "Sugar, Sugar, Sugar I smell Sugar!

Heck No! Miss Priss you can't have a bite of my food, this is all I get and I'm NOT SHARING!!! Go eat your bagel, cereal, noodles, and chocolate you skinny 2 1/2 year old.

For once in my life I would take someone calling me a skinny hoe as a compliment.

If I snort sugar up my nose like crack do I have to count the calories in it?

And to top it off I had a early monthly visitor last night. Seriously! Is someone trying to punish me?

It's really not that bad, it just sounds better to act angry. lol! So what are some of your thoughts? Is it as hard for you as it is for me? What is your biggest challenge during the day with dieting?

breakthrough

by socialchick~ Yesterday morning I was praying and God told me that today was the day that chains would be broken. That I wouldn't have to walk into 2009 with these chains. Then during praise and worship God dropped it into my spirit again. This time I felt like I was suppose to tell the congregation. Then I woke up this morning with it still on my mind and feel like I should share it with you.

No matter what your chains are, God is wanting to do a major breakthrough in your life. It could be emotional, physical, spiritual, or even financial. I serve a God that is able to break any chain. This year I keep hearing that God is the God of the impossible. Substitute your chain with this sentence. God is the God of My ____________. If you truly believe this I feel that you will have breakthrough today.

Then I went to the elijahlist and read this.

Even if you have experienced the greatest breakthroughs, a million breakthroughs, the Lord has more for you! There are never enough. We should always be hungry for more. We have to "see" more than we see right now. We need to see sustained breakthrough in our lives. We need to see breakthrough that transforms a whole city by the glory and power of God and see that city witness to another and another, setting off a chain reaction that will transform a nation. We need to see breakthrough for salvation of our children that has them walking forever and ever in His grace and witnessing to entire schools. We need to see radical breakthrough for finances such that we are never in monetary need again, such that you can give to the poor and still have more than enough!

I also I have a book called Breaking Free by Beth Moore that deals with breaking free. In this book she gives you steps on tearing down the walls or braking the chains in your life.

1. Recognize that your thoughts will captivate you.

2. Confess the thoughts that have been captivating you.

3. Tear down the lies that the enemy tries to throw at you.

4. Start believing the truth about yourself.

5. Let your thoughts only be truth.

I will get a little personal with you about something I have been fighting. I have a hard time getting close to people emotionally. Don't get me wrong I have tons of close friends but when it comes to the sappy stuff and the real emotional stuff I'm probably not the best listener. Some reason I have always felt like being emotional is being weak. I have really been praying for God to stir up my emotions. Even if that means crying at every movie I watch. lol! So this has been a chain that has kept me getting closer with family members, friends, Jesus, Holy Spirit, and God. Yesterday I remembered these steps and began to apply them to my chain.

First of all the thoughts that I'm not an emotional, loving, compassionate, sincere person is a lie. Those thoughts are far from the truth. The lies that the enemy has thrown at me is that I can't have a strong relationship with anyone if I'm not emotional. The truth is that I'm actually compassionate and loving. The truth is that I have very strong relationships with the people in my life. I also have a strong relationship with Jesus, Holy Spirit, and God. The truth is that I can always work on my relationships but it has nothing to do with how emotional I get. The truth is that God can stir up my emotions to be exactly what they need to be. God is also helping me to see that I don't have to pull away when situations get emotional. Being emotional isn't being weak it is ok to reveal my emotions in a strong way sometimes.

Well that is my breakthrough for 2009. I hope that I haven't confused or bored you in anyway.

God reveal to us the truth about ourselves and not the lies that our thoughts and the enemy has told us. Help us to breakthrough from the chains or walls that hold us back. Help us realize the truth about ourselves. The truth in how you see and love us. Daddy God I ask that if there is anyone out there that is reading this that needs a physical breakthrough that you would start breaking and tearing down. What ever chains that need to broken Father I ask that you would immediately start a breakthrough. In Jesus Name I pray Amen!

If you feel the need to share you chains or breakthrough and don't want to leave it in the comments then you can email us chicks@sevenchicks.net. You can also email us if you want us to pray with you about something.

a new year

by socialchick~ I can't believe that 2008 is over. I remember sitting around last year this time hoping that March would hurry and get here. Well March has come and gone and my Tiny is going to be 1 very soon. I tried to sit and think about what I accomplished in 2008 and what do I want to accomplish in 2009. I'm not one to make new year's resolutions but I think that I'm going to try something different this year.

I'm going to tell you all the things that I want to do so that I have an accountability. If I haven't blogged about some of this from time to time, comment and ask me how it is going. Chicks you have an extra responsibility. You need to ask me constantly if I'm doing my best at my new year's resolutions.

1. This one is the most important. I want to sit down every night once the kids have gone to bed and study the Bible. I would like a good Bible study but haven't found one. 2009 is when I'm going to grow spiritually more than I have in any year.

2. I would like to loose 10 lbs by summer. I know all of the chicks are shocked that I'm saying this because I'm not a big dieter but the roll that is hanging over my jeans is getting on my nerves.

3. Save enough money in 2009 to get my hubby a flat screen T.V. This may take 3 years. lol! Unless we get tons of orders from Butterbugs.

Well that was a short list! I can't think of anything else besides the obvious like be a better mother, wife and person.

One thing I don't want to do is to get pregnant. I'm going to enjoy an entire year pregnant free. lol!

So what are some things that you need to be held accountable for in 2009? Do you have any New Year's resolutions? What are some New Year's resolutions that have worked for you in the past?