Frugal tip #2 This tip might be odd or maybe many people do this, I have done this for years. Make your own personal hygiene products last longer. I buy my eye shadow at the dollar tree and use it for both blush and eye shadow. Making your foundation last longer, I cut the end off the tube and it last an extra week I would have to buy it every 7 weeks but I get to stretch it to 8 weeks.

blush and eye shadow

foundation

The results

New year, and new ways to save.

Our family lives in San Diego, California we have a family of 6 and live off of one income. We get to have the privilege of being creative and smart with our budget.I thought I would start the new year out to share one of my thrifty ways. Cooking panda express at home, most people enjoy eating out and this is true for us, but the cost of 6 meals even with fast food can quickly add up two adult meals at $7.00 and 4 kids meals at $5.00 equals out to be $34.00 for one meal! With a little extra time (not too much extra time if you add in the getting 6 people out the door dressed and wearing shoes and fighting over who gets what seat in the van) and some work I can make the same food at home for a total of $11.00. Everyone enjoyed this New Years Day lunch.

27 Blessings

27 Blessing for My 27th Birtdhay 1. God Blessing me with 27 years and a Beautiful Family 2. Girls Weekend 3. Galilee's Fashionable Self 4. Living in San Diego 5. Being Married to Mylove for 10 years. 6. Molly Bears 7. New Camera Lens (Insired this blog entry, Thank to the in-laws for thinking of me and gifting this new lens to me!) 8. Baking Treats 9. Ice Cream Cake 10. Sea World Passes 11. My Mama 12. My Sewing Machine(and My MIL's thanks for letting me barrow yours I promise I am returning it SOON!) 13. Felicity learning to blow bubbles from bubble gum 14. My Growing collection of vintage dresses 15. My Silly and Helpful Dad 16. Our Ipad and getting the extended warranty from Wal-Mart(Being replaced for the 5th time no extra charge) 17. My Camera 18. Molly Bears 19. Good Friends 20. The Midnight Orange 21. My Brother Josh and his family 22. Having a fun ride home with Tessa, Trent and Mom 23. Tea Time 24. My Wonderful Grandma 25. Seeing My cousin after 4 years 26. My Husbands Degree and Great opportunities 27. Waking up each morning and not having to worry,

Matthew 6:25-27 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Wedding

Cousin Jon and new cousin Danielle married on Saturday it was a warm but lovely ceremony at the top of Mt. Helix. Hundreds of yellow butterflies danced the whole time. These two were made for each other and I pray they have a lifetime of happiness. To Mr. and Mrs. O'Neal may blessings surround your marriage, and may you have many many years of bliss.

This photo is a photo 100% full of Slagle's in case you were wondering what a Slagle is.

Time to talk about simple JOYS I opened my front door today to a package, I love packages! Inside were BEAUTIFUL embroidered foot prints of my sweet Esther's feet from a sweet friend over at https://www.facebook.com/JamiesButterflyKisses

Today I also got a gift of cookies from my neighbor, delicious cranberry, blueberry white chocolate chip cookies.

When you share you love, time, and gifts with others it makes for a happier world. Keep spreading love!

Really Bad no good day

Have you ever had a day that just beats you up and crushes your heart? Yeah me too that was my day today. I am using this photo of my 9 year old on her very bad day. I want to put on some sunglasses, on lay on the slide, eat my grilled cheese sandwich, and cry my eyes out.

Was there one thing that made my day bad or sad nope: #1 Missing Child: started off with my dear friends little girl Emily's Heavenly 18th Birthday, my heart is so heavy for her.

#2 Messes: Yes I am a pretty relaxed Mom, I let some messes slide by, dare I say sometimes even encourage them,I don't like them all, but why let the stress rule my days...and nights. Chocolate fountain explosion, turned into chocolate facials and chocolate arm rubs are another story. Peanut butter on the walls, baby powder all over the room and living room, lip gloss and sunscreen on stuffed animals, clothes and in the hair are not ever my idea of fun.

#3 The wrong colors:I sent out a bear that were the wrong colors than requested, a request that was lost int he shuffle of my busy life. I got a very unhappy email explaining why everything about a bear I sent out was wrong. I offered my apologies and offered to fix the problems. I am hurt, I spend HOURS on each and every bear I make (75 bears last month) Unfortunately the only tutu in the colors she wants is my Esther Bears tutu, so I am sending her my very special tutu, I made a matching name bottle cap and a matching bow. This is daily what my home looks like, because I am dedicated to bringing comfort, but with that dedication there really does comes sacrifice. I still love, love, love the work I do, but I think I just need others to see my reality. I am spending over 40 hours a week making bears,taking photos, filling out paper work, mailing packages, taking and making phone calls, sending emails, managing a FANTASTIC team and facebook page, and supporting my fellow baby Loss Mommies. Here it is in the RAW.

#4 My Mistake: While out driving with the family today, I made a mistake and had my right turn signal on, I thought the freeway was the next right, but at the last second I noticed it was one block up. I quickly switched and put my left signal on before I turned, but it was too late for the driver behind me, I slowed down and let her pass, I waved a "I-AM-SO-SORRY" wave and she pulled into the next driveway...just to get behind me speed up honk and flip me off! UGH shocked is an understatement of how I felt, like this photo of sweet baby Owen.

Alright, it felt good to write this all out. I know I am blessed and loved and I know there was never a promise of an easy life. Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. My love to you and thank you for letting me vent my woes.

Baked Apples

5 large apples, cut in half
4 tbsp butter, melted
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp flour
1.5 cups Bunches of Oats cereal
pinch of cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350º. Cut apples in half and remove core and seeds with a small pairing knife or spoon. Bake for 8 minutes up side down. take out and turn right side up.

In a small bowl combine butter, brown sugar, flour, oats cereal and cinnamon. Spoon on top of the apple halves and sprinkle with cinnamon. Place on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy.