Hyundai, Glamour Magazine, and JuiceBoxJungle sponsored me to write this post about a poignant parenting moment that could possibly be put to the big screen by an A-list Hollywood star, like this short film Kate Hudson did. You can enter the contest, too by clicking here.
Have you ever dreamed of having part of your life portrayed on the big-screen? Honestly, I don't think I have. I don't feel like I have stories dramatic enough--and maybe that's a good thing! The life of a stay-at-home mom doesn't feel very glamorous most days, and that's okay. But there probably are parenting moments in all of our lives that might be funny enough or touching enough to be worth a short film.
One poignant moment that came to mind was H's third birthday. We made cupcakes that day to celebrate, and she was helping me decorate them. She suddenly looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I want to share my birthday cupcakes with the poor." To be completely honest, it felt almost like I'd been hit in the stomach. I tried to overcome my surprise, and after a brief pause, I tried to say that while it was a nice thought, I just didn't think it would be possible. I came up with all sorts of lame excuses in my mind--how uncomfortable would that be? I don't personally know any poor people. There aren't even that many cupcakes, just one batch--not nearly enough to share with a whole shelter. Plus, these were homemade cupcakes and who would take them not knowing what was in them? (from the teacher in me, where school treats were supposed to be store-bought). "Oh. Okay," she responded, and she let it go. But God didn't.
As we continued frosting the cupcakes, the pit in my stomach grew bigger and bigger. I realized I had responded selfishly. What was I trying to teach my daughter? She had been learning at church that we should share with the poor, and was trying in her three-year-old way to make that a reality. She was trying to live out her faith, and at the first opportunity, here I was, standing in the way of her sweet, growing spirit. I said I wanted to cultivate a life of generosity in our family, but was I going to walk the talk? Even if it was uncomfortable or embarrassing?
We finished decorating and she went off to lick and wash the frosting off her hands. I sighed. I almost started crying. I took a deep breath. I got out the phone book and called our local homeless shelter. I feebly tried to explain the situation to the receptionist who answered.
"Hi, um. . . it's my daughter's third birthday, and we just finished making a batch of homemade cupcakes. She had the idea that she'd like to share some of them with someone less fortunate. We only have an extra dozen or so, but could we maybe drop them off to brighten someone's day?"
"Sure, come on over!" she replied with enthusiasm. I again asked if it was okay that they were homemade, and she said no problem. Okay, I thought. Now I have no excuses. I took a deep breath again and called H over.
I sat down on the kitchen chair and pulled her up onto my lap. I said, "remember you had the idea to share your birthday cupcakes with the poor? Well, I called the homeless shelter and they said we could bring them over. Would you still like to do that?"
She brightened immediately, "Oh yes! Do you think they will like them? Do you think they will help someone who is sad feel a little better?"
"I'm sure they will, honey, and I'm so proud of you for being willing to share. I'm sorry I said no at first."
H and I drove over to drop off the cupcakes that afternoon, and something changed in me. Almost four years later, she probably doesn't even remember this story, but I don't think I will ever forget it. There's nothing like being humbled by your child's generosity; having it come smashing into your own heart of selfishness and pride. Something as simple as cupcakes, child-like faith, and obedience can change your heart if you let it.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Cupcake Faith
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Roundy's Coupon Matches--Super Doubles!
It's another super-doubles event! Roundy's stores (Copps, Pick 'n Save, and Rainbow) will double 10 coupons up to $1 per $25 order this Wednesday instead of the regular 5! This makes it easier to hit your $25 threshold before coupons come off. There are several deals this week, so here are some printable coupon matches to help you make your list. Check your coupon stash to see if you can find more matches. For printing tips, click here.
$1.00/ea: Lunchables
$0.75/1 Lunchables Subs (I was told these were included in the sale)
Better than free ADC!
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$2.00/ea: Hillshire Farm Deli Select Lunchmeat
$1.00/2 Hillshire Farm Hearty Slices Lunchmeats
$1 each ADC
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BOGO free YoPlus and Fiber One yogurt 4-pk (2/$2.59)
$1/1 Yoplus here
$1/1 Fiber One here and here and $0.75/1 here
*Use 2 coupons for 2 yogurts--will take off $4
Better than free ADC!
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$2.00/ea: Yoplait Delights
$1/1 here and here
FREE ADC!
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$2.00/ea: Dannon 4-pk Light & Fit
$1.00/2 Light & Fit 4-packs
$1 each ADC
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$0.50/ea: Yoplait 4-6 oz yogurt
$0.50/6 here
$2/6 ADC or $0.33 each
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$2.00/ea: Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, Dinner Rolls, Cinnamon Rolls, Pizza Crust,Breadsticks or Biscuits, Buy any 3 of these selected Pillsbury itmes at 3/$6.00 and Get One Roundy's 16 oz. Butter FREE
$0.50/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls
$0.40/2 Italian Meal Breads (Includes any Loaves, Breadsticks, Dinner Rolls, and Pizza Crust)
$.40/2 Sweet Rolls OR Grands! Sweet Rolls
$0.40/2 Italian Meal Breads (Includes any Loaves, Breadsticks, Dinner Rolls, and Pizza Crust)
$0.40/2 Sweet Rolls OR Grands! Sweet Rolls
$0.30/2 Refrigerated Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits
$0.30/2 Refrigerated Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits
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$1.00/ea: Progresso Soups
$1/3 here
$1/3 ADC or $0.33 each
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$1.00/ea: Hunt's Pasta Sauce
$0.50/2 here (manufacturer cpn)
$0.50 each ADC
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$1.00/ea: Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding 4-pk.
$0.50/3 here (manufacturer cpn)
$2/3 or $0.67 each ADC
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Buy 5 Kellogg's get $5 off and catalina for a free gallon of milk
$1.50/2 Mini-Wheats
$1.50/2 here
$1.00/3 here
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$2.50/ea: General Mills Cereal
Various coupons here and here
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$1.00/ea: Knorr Lipton dishes
$1/3 Lipton side dishes
$1/3 ADC
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$1.00/ea: Starkist Chunk Light or White Tuna
$1/1 StarKist Tuna Creations or Pouch printable
FREE after coupon--without doubling!
*will be slightly better than free if doubled, but won't take off $2, will only take off up to regular price, around $1.19
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$1.00/ea: Del Monte Canned Fruit or Vegetable
$1/4 Del Monte Product printable
$2/4 ADC
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$1.75/ea: Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers
$0.50/1 Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers frozen vegetables and here
$0.75 ADC
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$1.50/ea: Kleenex Facial Tissue
$0.50/3 packages or 1 bundle pack of Kleenex Facial Tissue
$0.50/3 packages or 1 Bundle Pack of KLEENEX Facial Tissue
$0.50/3 packages or 1 bundle pack of KLEENEX Facial Tissue
$0.50/3 packages or 1Bundle Pack of KLEENEX Facial Tissue
Catalina deal? I haven't verified whether this is working at Roundy's
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$2.00/ea: Right Guard Deodorant
$2/2 here
$1 each
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Kroger Coupon Matchups
Kroger doubles coupons up to $0.50 every day. These prices are based on the SE region ad, which may differ slightly by region. Find your nearest Kroger (or affiliate) here. Here are some current printable coupons available to match up with this week's sales. Check your coupon stash to see if you can find any more matches! Happy shopping!
$0.67/ea: Betty Crocker Pouch Potatoes
Save $0.40/1 Box or Pouch Betty Crocker Potatoes
Save $0.40/1 Box or Pouch Betty Crocker Potatoes
Better than free ADC!
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$1.00/ea: Betty Crocker Super Moist Cake Mix
Save $0.50 when you buy BOTH Betty Crocker Cake Mix AND Betty Crocker Frosting
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$1.50/ea: Chex Mix
Save $0.50/1 Chocolate Chex Mix 4.5 OZ. OR LARGER
Save $0.50/1 Chex Mix
Save $0.50/1 Chocolate Chex Mix
$0.50 ADC!
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$1.28/ea: Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers
Save $0.50/1 Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers
$0.28 ADC!
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$1.68/ea: Hamburger Helper, Get $1.50 OYNO wby 3, get $2 wyb 4, get $2.50 wyb 5
Save $0.75/3 Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper or Chicken Helper
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$2.29/ea: Nature Valley Granola Bars, Get $1 OYNO wyb 2, get $2 wyb 3, get $3 wyb 4
Save $0.40/1 Nature Valley Granola Bars
Save $0.40/1 Nature Valley Granola Bars
$1.49 ADC
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$1.25/ea: Pillsbury Biscuits, Crescent or Cinnamon Rolls
Save $0.50/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls
Save $.40/2 Pillsbury Italian Meal Breads
Save $.40/2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls OR Grands! Sweet Rolls
Save $0.40/2 Pillsbury Italian Meal Breads
Save $0.40/2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls OR Grands! Sweet Rolls
Save $0.75/2 Frozen Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits
Save $0.75 /2 Frozen Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits
Save $0.30/2 Refrigerated Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits
Save $0.30/2 Refrigerated Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits
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$2.00/ea: Pillsbury Ready To Bake Cookie Dough
Save $1.00/2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough
Save $1.00/2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough
Save $0.75/2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Holiday Cookies
Save $0.75/2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Holiday Cookies
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$2.79/ea: Pillsbury Savorings Pastry Bites
Save $1.00/2 Pillsbury Savorings products
Save $1.00/2 Pillsbury Savorings
$1.79 each
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$1.99/ea: Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries or Scrambles
Save $0.55/2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries
Save $0.55/2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Pastries
$1.44 each
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$3.50/ea: Romano's Macaroni Grill Dinner Kits
Save $1.00/1 Romano's Macaroni Grill Restaurant Favorites Dinner Kit
Save $1.00/1 Romano's Macaroni Grill Restaurant Favorites Dinner Kit
$2.50 each
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$1.00/ea: Old El Paso Refried Beans or Taco Shells
$0.60/2 Old El Paso printable
$0.40 each
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$3.50/ea: Wanchai Ferry Asian Meals
Save $1.00/1 Wanchai Ferry Dinner Kit
$2.50 each
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Monday, March 1, 2010
New Huggies Coupons!
- $2/1 Huggies
- $2/1 Overnites
- $2/1 Pull-Ups
- $0.75/1 Wipes
Get 60 Free Swagbucks!
I've been winning a lot of 20s and even a couple of 30s in the past few days, just by doing a few searches--and you can win more than once a day! And don't forget that every week you can go to the Special Offers page, skip through several offers and you will be rewarded at the end (I just got 3 swagbucks). When you redeem your swagbucks for $5 Amazon gift cards (the best value), 60 swagbucks is worth $0.66. Do some more searches and watch your points add up fast! You can start redeeming for gift cards and save up for free Christmas or birthday presents all year. :-)
Mailbox Monday
There are a lot of new freebies today!- The first 25,000 to register at Jennie-O's WellnessDaily site get a free Jennie-O Turkey Store product (up to $5 value) in the form of a rebate. Login after you register so you can print your personalized rebate form (look under "Coupons & Offers").
- Get a free digital subscription to Home School Enrichment magazine here. It will be sent to your email and you can also browse past issues.
- Enter to win a trip to Bora Bora and get a free Bora Bora Bar sample.
- Get a $10 gift card (by mail) to Bahama Breeze restaurants when you sign up online.
- The VFW is offering a FREE copy of “Women at War”.
- If you have dry skin, Eczema or Psoriasis you can sign up for free Salcura Skin Care samples.
- Get a free sample of CitraClear Dishwasher Softener here.
- Get the free 10-song album "Relaxation" by various artists from Amazon.
- Get a free Beech-Nut Toddler Kit. It will probably include coupons for free full-size products and other high-value coupons.
- Sign up for a free sample of Member’s Mark Infant Formula from Sam’s Club. No membership number is required.
- Request your free South Beach Living Fiber Fit S’Mores Bar sample from Kraft.
- Get a free sample of new Olay Total Effects Body Wash.
- Get a free sample of Tide plus Febreze Freshness from Walmart and P&G.
- Go here to request a free sample of Carefree Ultra Protection liners and a $1/1 coupon.
- You can request a free sample (plus coupons) for Pediasure by calling the number 1-800-227-5767 and speaking to the operator during business hours.
- Get a free Don’t Disturb Me Natual Sleep Aid Sample.
- Nikwax is offering a free Tech Wash Travel Gel Sample for the cleaning of clothes and equipment.
- Get a free Green Magma Organic Barley Grass sample here. Shipping is free, too.
- Through the month of March, get 2 free audio books from Christian Audio. To get both free, do two separate transactions using the code MAR2010. You can download Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper and The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
- Sign up to receive emails from Warner’s and get a FREE E.L.F French Manicure Set.
- Get a free sample of Breathe Right Extra Strips.
- Get a free sample of Bounce 4 in 1 from Sam's Club--no membership number is required.
- Get 60 free Swagbucks for joining through Wednesday--details here.
Free Redbox Code
UPDATE: This code DID work for me! I was able to use it twice with 2 different cards. :-)
Get a free movie rental Monday only from Redbox! At the kiosk, click "rent with a promo code", enter code RBXLUV4U, then choose your free movie. You can use this code once per debit or credit card, and your card won't be charged if you return the movie by 9pm the next day. Hopefully this code will work for you! :-)
If you are new to Redbox, you can also try these codes:
DVDATWAG (works only at Walgreens locations)
DVDONME
BREAKROOM
If you have more than one credit/debit card, you can use the code more than once. Enjoy your free movies!
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