Photo of the Day :)

These cupcakes make me very happy :)

Even better, they are banana with chocolate frosting. Yum-o.

I know that I know that I know.

As I listen to Nicole Mullen sing "Redeemer," I am reminded of how much God loves us even when we suffer.

On my mind this weekend is my very close friend whom, last week, experienced the very sudden loss of her brother. He was a young husband, father, son, brother, and friend. We stood by this family as any friends would do, but there was this ache in my heart for what I felt I just couldn't do to comfort them.

As I think about how their healing begins, I am reminded of the first few lines of one of my favorite hymns:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

In 1873, Horatio Spafford wrote the words to the hymn "It is Well with My Soul" after the tragic death of his four daughters. In the midst of his sorrow, he wrote it on the ocean while sailing near the spot where his daughters died.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Hump Day Deals!

Free Soccer Ball!!! Click here for details or read below.

Cut out three or more UPC codes from any SCOTT® products and mail them along with your

first and last name, complete address and phone number to:

Soccer Ball Offer
8250 NW 27th Street, Suite 301
Miami, FL 33122

Offer begins on October 15th, 2009 and ends on November 15th, 2009, or while supplies last. Letter must be postmarked by November 16th, 2009 and must be received by no later than November 30th, 2009.

Limit 1 (ONE) per person, per address. Please allow 6-8 weeks for processing.


Free Classes at Pottery Barn for Kids! (Did you know they have storytime on Tuesdays at 11 am?)


Pottery Barn for Kids is offering two FREE classes:

•Holiday Traditions – Saturday, November 14, 10-11am
•Get Organized Storage Solutions – Saturday, January 16, 10-11am

Class participants will also receive a 10% discount on special products.







The Treat People are giving away samples of Pet 'n Shape dog treats.

Go here to request yours!



Pep Boys is offering a free fall maintenance check.

Go here for your printable coupon.

Tuesday's Wrap Up

What a day! Sick baby...check. Exhausted Mommy and Daddy...check. Unnecessary friction...check. Hurt feelings...check check. hahaha. The list goes on, does it not?

Sometimes things are just better left unsaid. It is a rare occurrence that I don't have the words I need to say, but I think in this particular instance, it is a sign of my moving forward and moving on. This is a good thing. Again, I guess it all comes down to faith, hope, and love. I've got all three.

"Yesterday is gone, Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." ~Mother Teresa

Monday's Treasure

So, I find this first freebie a little comical right now because I made, yet, another effort to get Liam the flu shot this morning, only to hear the repeated statement from the doctor, "I'm sorry, we can't...he's sick." I made this appointment Friday so that we would be sure to get it this morning. Of course, we couldn't predict he would wake up congested. Well, who am I kidding? It's just that time of year for him. She could hear his "nasal" sound from across the room and said, any other kid might be fine to get it with just congestion, but he is high-risk anyway, so let's not "risk" it. We'll try again later.

So, I went ahead and registered to receive this first freebie...in the event that our family becomes affected by the virus.


Go here to request your free FluPak. It includes the following (5) items: 1 x mask, 2 antibacterial wipes, 1 disposable thermometer, and an insert card about the flu vaccine.






Sun Vibes Spa is offering a free sample of their massage oil.

Our handcrafted massage oil contains equal loads of Avocado Oil, Olive Oil, and Grape Seed Oil naturally high in vitamin E to pamper your loved one, friend, or that special someone that needs a big thank you. This has a light but present fragrance of Gardenia.






Want some new recipes to try for the fall?


FREE Cookbook: Gooseberry Patch Fall Favorites with Sun-Maid® Raisins & Dried Fruit


Simple fill out the form!







Flix is giving away samples of their interdental toothpicks!

Go here to request yours.

It's November! Bring it on!

Well, I'm just a little too excited about it being November. I know, I know. For a lot of people, it means the start of Christmas shopping. But this year, for me, it's about turning over a new leaf, and I'm not talking about the ones in our yard.

I'm praying about some changes to come in our lives, and I'm taking on this whole, "If I believe it, I can achieve it" motto. Isn't faith one of the most amazing things we can have? It's something that, when you have it, you don't even have to SAY you have it because people can just tell you have it. But I'm so excited about it that I just want to share it! God already had this plan for us when he blessed us with Liam. He made us perfect in His eyes. Just because we didn't know to prepare for it doesn't mean it isn't more than we can handle.

A dear friend said to me recently, in a discussion about Liam's medical history and condition, "I can't imagine two better parents for Liam than you and William."

It was really in that moment that I realized, if everyone else sees our strength, then I need to see it as well.


And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.


Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Quote of the Day

"I think the biggest disease the world suffers from in this day and age is the disease of people feeling unloved. I know that I can give love for a minute, for half an hour, for a day, for a month, but I can give. I am very happy to do that, I want to do that." ~Princess Diana



Through all of Liam's illnesses, the roller coaster of emotions and stress that even continues to this day, one thing that has always comforted us is the compassion and understanding of the same friends and family who have been there with us from the beginning. And it's not always what someone says or doesn't say, but many times it's just showing the love they have for us and our family during these past few years that means the world to us.

We've gone from ear surgery, to Infectious Disease, back to ear surgery, to a Pulmonary Specialist, to Asthma and Allergies...and the cycle doesn't really end for us. We never know day to day what will happen. But we have figured out a way, through faith, to embrace our special situation and just focus on loving our child and putting his needs first. We've lost friends and family over it, we've definitely lost any sort of social life (ha!), we nearly lost our home, but what we've gained in strength as a family of love outweighs any of those losses that have occurred along the way.

We've had some wonderful friends and family who have reached out to us and who have stuck with us even when we reached really low points. I just want to say "thank you" for that - thanks for showing us then, and thanks for showing us now, that you do care.

Much love.

Spooky Deals!

I am in some serious need of curl. Looks like I'm in luck with Redken's exclusive samples of NEW Curl Products.

Go here to request your free sample!

Enjoy the bounce!






Get your kiddos to Toys R Us on Halloween for Geoffrey's Treat Parade!

Customers can visit any Toys”R”Us store – dressed up in their ghoulish garb – on Saturday, October 31 from noon to 3pm to participate in a spooktacularly safe Halloween celebration. Children ages three and up who attend Geoffrey’s Trick “R” Treat Parade will receive a complimentary, reusable bag, which they can fill up with goodies and giveaways (while supplies last) as they parade around the store with everyone’s favorite mascot, Geoffrey the Giraffe.


Do you have a Lab or any other dog that sheds???

If so, take advantage of this free offer from Pet Maxi!

Free Pet Hair Removal Electrostatic Brush!






Need a Family Night idea?

Go to Walmart and buy a Tony's Pizza - and instantly get a free game of bowling!





Go to McDonald's on October 31st and get a free hamburger or cheeseburger!

Perfect dinner before or after trick-or-treating!

A Rainy Monday...

We had an eventful weekend that included car washing, soccer, an ER visit that lasted well into Sunday morning hours, more soccer, and church activities. The weekend seemed to carry on for such a long time...and then it rained all through the night, making Monday morning very difficult to move through :) Liam has monopolized the computer most of the day, making "Freebie Time" difficult to manage, as well!

So, here we are, finally...

Let Tombstone pay part of your utility bill!

Get up to $15 in credit on your bill. I know it seems minimal, but around here, ever dollar counts. Literally.

Click here for the form to complete.









Beautiful Keychain!

The first 3,500 to respond will get this gorgeous personalized keychain (think Christmas gift!).

Go here for the form.






Free 2010 Calendar from Women's Health (in English or Spanish). Click on the calendar.














Oregon Chai Tea!





I am really looking forward to a cup of this on a cool, fall day.


Get your free sample here.









The Purpose of Christmas - FREE to the first 5000.


Free sample of Benjamin Moore paint. Just take this coupon to your local retailer!

Jack is Back!

Fall is officially here. I actually define it by the date that I can get my Halloween decor displayed...and I almost didn't get it out by October 1 this year. (I always have to do a thorough cleaning before the new season and, luckily, I pulled it off.) So, "Jack" is happily out of his Halloween tub and is resting nicely on the bookcase. Now, bring on the candy!

First freebie today is a good one:


October is National Cookie Month!

Mrs. Field's is having Free Cookie Day today from 11 am - 1 pm. Stop by to get a free chocolate chip cookie.

Go here to find the nearest location.



Teachers Only:


Free set of 6 rulers!

Go here to request them.




For the Kiddos! Love this!!!


Simplistick is giving a free sample of their removable wall stickers - and you can choose from several different animals (I chose the alligator for Liam).

Go here to get yours.

Next up...

Free Red Button (in the fight against AIDS in Africa):


You pay nothing for the button - they even cover the postage.

Just sign up here to get one.





Teachers ONLY:


Teachers can receive a free “Get Fit For The Fun Of It” fitness kit from Subway by registering here.

The kit includes a planner/calendar, reward stickers, parents letter and a poster!







And finally...


Free Night of Theater 2009 returns!

At 2:00 today (Oct 1), you can request tickets for the show you want to see. I've never done this, but I would say be on there and ready at 2:00, in case they sell out quickly. You get 2 free tickets!!! That's a great deal!

To find the participating theaters, click here.

They are offering "Dinosaurs" at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. We were just there and promised Liam we'd bring him back for "Dinosaurs" since he is crazy about them. Unfortunately, it is showing on the same night of Disney on Ice, which we have tickets to see. I think a 3 year old can only handle 1 show in a day!

A few to get you started this morning...

Burt's Bees natural Acne Solutions.

Go here to request a free sample.

I requested one back in August when it first came out. I received my sample a couple of weeks ago and have already started using it. It definitely does NOT dry out your skin - it is about as natural as you can get!



Kerasol is offering a free sample of their Exfoliating Foot Ointment.



Fill out the form here.








SoyButter - click here to request your free sample!

"...the entire manufacturing process is completed in one facility starting from raw non-GMO soybeans directly from local fields, right to the finished product filled into a jar or cup, ready for your enjoyment."

100% Peanut Free, Tree Nut Free, Gluten Free and Dairy Free!

I can't wait to try this! Let me know what you think!







Teachers Only!!!


Register here for your FREE Anniversary Hand Pointer from Learning Resources.

Students Only - Free 2010 Calendar!!!

Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute is giving away a free calendar to students!

Request a FREE autographed photo of your favorite Disney Character from Walt Disney Co.


By writing to the address below, your child (or you!) will receive a free autographed glossy photo of your child's favorite Disney character:

Walt Disney Company
Attn: Fan Mail Department
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

Personalization (your child's name) is not available. No SASE required (just the postage on your request). Be sure to specify the name of the Disney character in your request letter.

Monday, Monday.

Lots of fun ones for a Monday...



Become a Fan of Walgreens on Facebook and they’ll give you a code valid for a FREE Photo Book on October 2nd!

(You’ll only have to pay a small shipping fee.)

This will make a wonderful Christmas gift!!!

Eukanuba is giving away a free bag of puppy food!

Go here to request your bag!

You deserve one!!!

Nominate a friend who deserves a Starbucks Frappuccino. Perhaps they will nominate you for one in return?

Free Frappuccino here.





Request a FREE purple ribbon from the Drug Policy Alliance Network.

Please, please, please show your support for overdose prevention. This is a HUGE crisis in our country.

Do your part.






For Teachers Only:

Free Earth/Mars Comparison Poster!

Complete the form on this page and you will be sent a FREE poster.





One million CUPCAKES!!!

Little Debbie is giving away one million cupcakes plus other prizes!

Enter here for your chance to win!






Free envelope opener from Aspex Corp! Click here and scroll down a little to find the form. Quick and free!


Jerry Parker's Printing is giving away a free post-it pad!



Go here to complete the form.









A free hand towel!


Weavefield Mills is offering a free sample of their hand towel.

Go to this page to fill out the request form!

Limit 1 sample per household.

Fun Friday!

Just some things to start your day...more to come.


Take an opportunity to thank our troops!

Go to Let's Say Thanks and (quickly) send a thank you card to a soldier. These adorable postcards were made by children from all over - you simply choose the one you like, select a message or write your own, and hit send. It's so simple, but it means so much!

Also, while you're on the site, click on Photo Gallery to see some pretty amazing photographs of the program. It will melt your heart.


Tomorrow, September 26, is National Public Lands Day.


This means entrance to all 391 national parks is FREE!

Every park will have a volunteer event, as well!

If nothing else, pack a lunch for your family and enjoy some great quality time! Find the playground and let the kids go wild!




Well, I fully intend to catch this next freebie!

Disney is celebrating "A Christmas Carol" with Jim Carey by bringing an interactive 40-city train tour, including a 3-D sneak peek at the movie! All for FREE!!!

The train is making its way across the country - go here for a cool look at the map! Go to "Schedule" on the website to see all the stops. I'm so excited because it hasn't made its way to Atlanta yet, but it will in October! And I plan to be there! Sorry, Louisvillians, it was there earlier this month :( If you caught it, let me know! Be sure to click on the tiny arrows on the right of the schedule to go all the way to the bottom of the list.

The train is in Boston this weekend! Don't miss it!

If you live in the Atlanta area, you won't want to miss this. Bistro in a Box is celebrating their Open House Tasting by giving away free food!

Go and enjoy complimentary mini burgers, grilled pesto chicken, antipasto platters, homemade desserts, cupcakes, cookies, brownies and more!

They are located at 307 E. College Ave. Suite B, Decatur. 404-941-7799

Ice Cream, Ice Cream, (you know the rest...)

It's a long list today...but WAY overdue.


Visit Cold Stone Creamery today! If you visit and make a $1 donation or more to the Make a Wish Foundation, you will receive a free ” Jack’s Creation” Ice Cream Sundae (ice cream mixed with brownies, rainbow sprinkles, topped with caramel).

Yummy!!!

(This freebie brought to you by my sister-in-law, Katy.)





Today is Customer Appreciation Day at Carvel.

Stop in between 3-7 p.m. to get a FREE Oreo Rounder.

I'm sorry, but 2 oreos and some ice cream - I could go for that!






Did someone say a free calendar? I love free calendars!!!

The New Yorker is giving away a poster-size calendar.

From the site: "Hurry! Sign up now and we'll send you a free 2010 New Yorker calendar poster as a thank you for continuing to read The New Yorker. No strings. Nothing to buy. Measuring 18" x 26," the calendar is printed on heavy, high-gloss paper that is perfect for display. Offer expires October 31, 2009. Quantities are limited."





To the first 500 to sign up, Elle is offering Bioloage Rejuvenating Shampoo, an Intensive Masque, and comb!


Go here to sign up.

Win Ugg Boots!!! Go here to find out how you can win them!

I am SUPER excited about this freebie from Mario Badescu!

You will answer a few questions and they will match the right skin samples to you by your answers. Once you hit "submit" they will let you know which products they matched you with, and then you just wait for them to arrive. (Rumor has it that they are extremely generous and have been known to send multiple samples to you instead of just one...let me know what you get!!!)



If you have kids, this one is a MUST!

Geoffrey's Birthday Party at Toys R Us is this Saturday, 9/26/09, from 12-3 pm. It is free to attend and there will be fun Birthday parades, great activities and FREE giveaways!


Find a store here.



When we lived in Louisville, we always enjoyed the free Toys R Us events. Be sure to sign up for the Birthday Club - your child will get a phone call from Geoffrey on his/her birthday, and you will also be able to take them to the store for a "Birthday Celebration" complete with balloons, a hat and other goodies!

This Saturday, 9/26, is the Build and Grow Clinic at Lowe's.

Project: a firetruck! The first 50 participants to arrive will receive a free apron, eye goggles and more!

It's a great hands-on activity you can do with your children or grandchildren.

Have fun!


Bear Naked is giving away a sample of one of their bars!


Go here to sign up and choose the one you want.

(They are already out of 3 of them!)

Let me know how you like them...



Go see Conan O'Brien!!!


Boy do I wish I lived in L.A....

Go to this page to enter for free tickets to a live taping!

I would love to hear if you win!





Get a free denim hat!
Mary's Tailor Shop is offering a free denim hat a demonstration of her work.

Click here and fill out the form. It's that easy!




Try a FREE sample of CleanWell Natural Hand Sanitizer.


I'm excited to try this!

Cleanwell is the only hand sanitizer that is all natural and alcohol-free. The ingredients are safe for kids, non-toxic, and come from rapidly renewable resources that grow abundantly worldwide.





L’essence D’eau is offering a free sample of their Skin Repair Essence.


I am definitely going to try this - I need all the help I can get these days.

Go here and fill out the very short form.

Let me know if you like it!





Well, I'm going to pause for now and come back with some more! I'm making up for lost time :)

Enjoy!!!