Publix Highlights: 2/24 - 3/2

 Here are the best deals I see at Publix this week, and there's not a ton of great ones. I am excited about the Kraft Cheese, and there are a few freebies as always! Plus, the Italian Sale continues - you can print the PDF version of the coupon pamphlet HERE.
Now that I have my free biscuits, and this week's Egg Beaters & Jimmy Dean Sausage, I feel a breakfast dinner coming on!



Best BOGO's

Green Giant  Valley Fresh Steamers BOGO $2.39 ($1.19)

Use 50¢/1 PRINT 

or 50¢/1 PRINT

or 40¢/1, 50¢/2 from 1/3 GM, 2/21 SS

Use $5/$20 from ItalianBook

(50¢/1 makes it 19¢ ea!)

Del Monte Tomatoes BOGO $1.39

$1/4 from 2/7 RP or  PRINT 

(makes it 35¢ ea)

Green Giant Canned Vegetables BOGO $1.29 (64¢)
Use $5/20 from ItalianBook (in-store only)
(makes it 39¢ ea)

Right Guard Sport Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant BOGO $2.79 ($1.39)
$2/2 PRINT 
Stack WITH $1/1 Family Dollar Q *If accepted
(makes it 39¢ ea!)

Ragu Pasta Sauce BOGO $2.29 ($1.14)
Use 30¢/1, 60¢/2 from 1/31 RP
*$1/2 from Multiply Your Meals & Savings Publix Book
(makes it as low as 54¢ ea, or 4¢ w/ Publix Q!)

Ronzoni Pasta BOGO $1.99 (99¢)
$1/2 PRINT

(makes it 49¢ ea)

Knorr Sides BOGO $1.49 (75¢ ea)

*55¢/2 Multiply Your Meals & Savings Publix Booklet
Use 75¢/3, $1/3, 60¢/2 from 1/31 RP
(60¢/2  Q alone makes it 45¢ ea)

Lipton Family Size Tea Bags 24 ct box BOGO $2.65 ($1.33)
Use 50¢/1 or 60¢/1 from 1/31 RP

(makes it as low as 33¢ ea)

Planters Peanuts BOGO $3.09 ($1.54)
Use $1/2 from 1/24 SS
Use WITH $1/2 Target Q PRINT

(makes it 54¢ ea)

StarKist Chunk White Tuna Pouch BOGO $3.19 ($1.59)
$1/1 PRINT 

$1/2 from 2/14 RP, Woman's Day, BH&G, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping

(makes it as low as 59¢ ea)

Betty Crocker Brownie or Dessert Bar Mix BOGO $2.69 ($1.34)
Use 75¢/2 PRINT & PRINT or $1/2 from 2/7 SS
Use 50¢/1 PRINT(gone now) 
($1/2 makes it 84¢ ea)

Hershey's Nuggets $3.69 ($1.84)
Use $1/1 Dark Choc. from 1/10 SS
or $2/2 from 1/31 SS

(makes it 84¢ ea)

Pam Cooking Spray BOGO $3.29 ($1.64)
Use 35¢/1 or $1/2 from 1/24 SS

(makes it as low as 94¢ ea)

General Mills Cereal, Lucky Charms, Cookie Crisp, Kix, or Reese’s Puffs, Golden Grahams or Cinnamon Toast Crunch BOGO $3.39 - $3.99 ($1.69- $1.99)
$1/1 PRINT & $1/2 PRINT

(makes it as low as 69¢ ea)

Thomas Bagels BOGO $3.99 ($1.99)
Use $1/1 from March All*You

(makes it 99¢ ea)

Post Honey Bunches of Oats BOGO $3.99 ($1.99)

Use FREE Milk wyb (4) Post Cereals from Yellow Adv. Buy

(Considering you save close to $4 on milk, like paying about $1 per box)

Keebler Club Crackers BOGO $3.99 ($1.99)
Use $1/1 from 1/24 SS
(makes it 99¢ ea)

Other Best Deals:

Grocery

Hunts Tomato Sauce 33¢
Use $1/3 PRINT

(makes 3 FREE)

Egg Beaters $1.67
Use 35¢/1 from 1/10 SS
or $1/1 Publix coupon (in store)
(makes it as low as FREE)

Kraft Cheese Chunk: $1.66
Use $1/1 Target Q PRINT
or $1/2 Publix Q from 1/3 SS *Regional
Stack WITH $1/2 from 1/24 SS

(makes it 66¢ ea!)

Progresso Soup $1.25
Use 50¢/2 for 1/3, 2/7 GM & 1/17 SS
or $1.10/3 PRINT or PRINT
Stack WITH $1/4 ItalianBook or PRINT
(makes it 50¢ ea wyb 4)

 Smuckers Uncrustables $2
Use $1/1 PRINT
Use WITH 55¢/1 from Publix Healthy Kids Book

(makes is 45¢ ea)

Jimmy Dean Sausage Links $1.99
Use $1/1 PRINT

(makes 99¢ ea)

Folgers Ground Coffee $2.50
Use $1/1 PRINT
(makes it $1.50)

Home & Health

Bayer Asprin $1.50
Use $1/1 PRINT or from 1/3, 1/31 SS

(makes it 50¢)

Colgate Toothpaste $1.50
Use $1/1 from 2/21 SS

(makes it 50¢ ea)

- Thanks, IHeartPublix!

PURSE WINNERS!

Thank you so much ladies, to all who took the time to enter and vote!  It was fun to see how we all keep our purses- and it really hit home that Debbie's advice was needed!  I'm surprised we didn't end up getting more clean purse entries, but I guess I shouldn't be really - we couponers probably aren't the most organized group ever!
Well, the votes have been tallied - and winners of the messiest/cleanest purses are....

Kellie Duggins: Messiest Purse #6

Well, I can say, I am super embarrassed to send in this picture, but here goes! The good news is, your Sunday article did inspire me to clean all my other purses that are not currently in use! I pulled up the trash can and started pitching the trash, made piles of things to keep and things to send to school (I teach Kindergarten). I even found a few things I had forgotten about. Now, I need to spend some quality time with this one and see if it helps. I did feel quite a bit better to get the others cleaned out. Now, when I get ready to pop out a Spring bag, it will be ready to wear!
Thanks, Time2Save, for inspiring me to de-clutter!

Jodi Pierce: Cleanest Purse #2

It's a large bag, but I do at least keep it organized and free of clutter...that's the one thing I seem to be able to control..lol. I have a 20 month old..so this is an accomplishment. :)

I'll be emailing you ladies shortly to get your addresses for the workshop gift certificates!

MAPS MAPS MAPS!!

Just in case you didn't know, Kelly and I (Kasey) both homeschool our 5 and 6 year old girls.  As I was looking for a World Map puzzle today there are several I found that are awesome.  Especially compared to the $29.99 I paid at Staples for just a laminated world map, these deals are much better.  The map from Staples is going back, thank goodness I hadn't opened it yet.

USA World Combo Desk Map Grades K-2 ($11.95)

Featuring the USA on one side and the World on the other.  Laminated for durability, this colorful and simple placemat can be written on and wiped again and again!

USA & World Wall Atlas (Wallzilla) 

Wallzilla?? - It can be repeatedly removed and reapplied without losing its sticky!!  Prices start at $45.00

 Magnetic - Play-N-Learn

Buy individually for $12.95 or a set for $21.90.  

 Place the magnetic piece onto its corresponding color and shape on the map, or for a bigger challenge, put the World and USA together on your refrigerator or other metal surface.  Great for roadtrips!

The Continent Puzzles

Individual Continent Puzzle $10.00 or The Four Combo Pack $34.95

Combo Pack Includes: 4 individually shrink-wrapped puzzles:

* North America *South America * Europe * Africa *

Illuminated Inflatable Globe ($12.95)

Long lasting LED light.  Requires two batteries.  Includes String & Hook for Hanging

BIGGEST CHALLENGE!!World Puzzle ($20.00)

They have created a puzzle of the world where the pieces are actually shaped like individual countries. By working with each piece until you are able to fit it within the bordering countries, you are able to make a mental connection that stays with you. It's like you are actually building the world from scratch!

  HOW TO ORDER

1.  Click Here to for Maps.com!
2.  On side bar click Globes and Games
3.  Add items to cart then close window

Close Window

 

MAXIMIZE YOUR SAVINGS!!!

Ebates or Shop at Home - Both offer $5 free for first time users and 5% back from Maps.com

If you are already a member of one, click the other to earn the $5 bonus for first time users.  For example, I am joining Shop At Home since I am a first time user, thus receiving the $5 bonus for joining plus earning 5% cash back. I'm not using Ebates because I am already a member I would not earn the $5 bonus, only the 5% back.    

1.  Click HERE for Ebates or HERE for Shop at Home

2.  If you are a first time user, register and create login and password.

3.  Type Maps.com in the search Window (top right hand corner)

4.  Click the Maps.com coupon code then follow link back to Maps.com

5.  Open your cart .  Choose one coupon code from list below.

6.  Complete order and submit

Choose one coupon code from below:

*  FREE US Priority or UPS ground shipping.  Use Code:  SHIPFREE59

*  20% off $75 order or more!  Use Code:  FEB20

*  5% off any order!  Use Code:  FEB2010

It's not complicated it is soo easy.  The steps above are detailed for those who haven't taken advantage of these great cash back programs yet.  ALL you're doing is adding one quick step between adding items to your cart to purchase and submitting the order.  Both Ebates and Shop at Home offer exclusive coupon codes and/or free shipping for just about any online store in addition to the cash back.  You'll receive a check in the mail quarterly for all the cash you've earned.  FREE MONEY!!!!! 

FREE Olay Regenerist Trio TOMORROW!

Tomorrow at 12pm, Olay is giving away 1,000 Regenerist Starter Trio Kits! 
I really want one of these, so I'll be refreshing that link over and over around 11:59 Eastern Time tomorrow, since I'm not sure what time zone their 12 o'clock is in.  I'll try to remind you guys tomorrow when it gets close - so stay tuned!

- Thanks, CommonSenseWithMoney!

NEW : LOTS of Kelloggs Coupons!

 There seems to be a lot of good deals with Kelloggs products lately, between the Target Gift Card deal, and the Kroger Milk promotion, and the Kelloggs Cereal Catalina.  I'm sure many of you are running low on those coupons about now, so here are some new ones to pad your binder a bit:

Snackpicks:
(2) $1/1 Kelloggs Fruit Snacks
75¢/1 Cheez-It Italian Four Cheese
$1/1 Keebler Wheatables
PRINT (*If you haven't printed before)

Vocalpoint:
$1/1 Kelloggs Fruit Snacks 
PRINT

SpecialK.com:
$1/1 Kelloggs Special K Low Fat Granola Cereal
$1/1 Kelloggs Special K Fruit Crisps
$1/1 Kelloggs Special K Protein Shakes
PRINT HERE

- Thanks, CommonSenseWithMoney & Hip2Save!

FREE Winnie The Pooh Audiobook & MP3

Wind down to Naptime with your little one, compliments of Clorox.  Just go HERE and enter the code "NAPTIME" to get this FREE audiobook (w/printable PDF illustrated booklet) + an MP3 song to accompany it.

I would LOVE to snuggle up right about now and listen to the Original Story of Winnie The Pooh.  Me and my tummy full of pancakes would be so happy if that were a possibility!

- Thanks, BabyGoodbuys!

★UPDATE★ $2.50 Taste of Home Cookbooks + FREE Shipping!

Update: Scroll to bottom to see how to get an extra $5 + Cashback, essentially making 1 of your cookbooks free!

Starting TODAY, Taste of Home is having their annual $5 Cookbook Sale!

This is an AWESOME sale - 18 Hardcover Cookbooks (priced at up to $27.99) are currently going for only $5 ea!  To see what titles are available, go HERE.
PLUS if you spend $10 or more, you get FREE SHIPPING w/code "347"!  
Order through Ebates to get cashback + $5 Bonus! (See how at bottom)


I just ordered...
The Ultimate Chicken Cookbook (reg. $27.99)
Favorite Name Brand Recipes (reg. $24.99)
& the Quick Cooking Annual Recipes Book (reg. $14.99)
TOTAL = $15 total for $68 worth of cookbooks  + FREE Shipping!  One of these is going in my gift closet, the other 2 are going in my kitchen cabinet.....

★Ebates 5% Cashback + $5 Sign-Up Bonus★

(Like getting one of your cookbooks FREE!)

• First go to Taste of Home and load up all your cookbooks into your cart
• Next, click HERE to login to Ebates, new members get $5 Credit!
• Search "Taste of Home" in search bar at top right, and then click on the "Taste of Home" link that pops up (Ensures your 5% cashback)
• Click "Cart" to access your saved items, and checkout!

★Shop At Home: 15% Cashback!★

If you are already signed up for Ebates (therefore no cashback), then you'd do better to go through ShopAtHome, where they are offering 15% cashback on Taste Of Home purchases!  Do just as it says above, but instead go HERE after filling your cart.

50% Off Photo Posters @ Walgreens

It's Day 3 of Walgreens "7 Days of Photo Deals" - and today's deal is 50% Off 11X14 Posters.  Use code "POSTERSIZE" at checkout to get them for only $4.99!  I'd imagine you can choose in-store pick-up for this like the prints, but I'm not sure.

7-Day Deal Lineup

2/23 – Tuesday: 50% 11×14 Posters

2/24 – Wednesday: 50% off Canvas (online only) & 99¢ Rolls (in store only)
2/25 – Thursday: Free 8×10
2/26 – Friday: 50% off Everyday books (online only) & $5.99 Ink Refills
2/27 – Saturday: 10cent Prints (no min)

Reminder: Vote for the Messiest/Cleanest Purses!

 

Just a reminder to vote for the Messiest Purse & the Neatest Purse HERE if you haven't already!  These folks put their clutter on the line for the prizes (a set of FREE couponing workshops), so let's help them out and vote for your faves!  Voting ends tonight at 9, when I will announce the winner!

$4/1 Method Laundry Detergent

I didn't post this link earlier, because it hit the limit within hours and I missed my window... but it's back!  (That'll teach ME to wait until after lunch!  What was I thinking???)

Go print a $4/1 Method Laundry Detergent HERE (IE) or HERE (FF).

I can't see any great deals for this yet, but let's all keep our eyes peeled!

GIANT Huggies Wipes Bags $2.50 at CVS! (DEAD DEAL)

Well, good things don't last forever.... CVS has officially changed the price BACK to $7.99. Glad some of you guys were able to snag some for the low-low price of $2.99! And sorry to those who missed it.

 I don't know if this is a pricing glitch or some super-secret deal!  The super-duper big bags of Huggies Wipes refills are ringing up for only $2.50 ea!  That's the cost of a regular-size tub, for about 4X the wipes.
*UPDATE: ForTheMommas is reporting that some people have received a $2/1 Huggies coupon from the CVS Magic Coupon Machine - which would make these only 50¢!!

Think outside the box with these...this could be a GREAT donation item for a church nursery, pregnancy center or mom that you know.   A pack of wipes can make someone's day!

You might need to price check them, to be sure - and they may or may not be marked.  Leave a comment if you are able to find some!

- Thanks, MommyOctopus!

Publix Print Preview for Wednesday!

 I know it's frustrating to try and print a coupon midway through a sale week, and it's already hit its limit.  So when I can, I'm going to start putting up a preview of the Publix ad (courtesy of IHeartPublix) with just the print links to help you get prepared.  This way, when everyone else starts up their printers on Wednesday morning or Tuesday night, you'll already have yours! These are JUST the bogo's with printables - you can go HERE to get a more detailed list.

Publix Ad BOGO's (2/24 - 3/30)

Ragu Pasta Sauce BOGO $2.29
Ronzoni Pasta BOGO $1.99
Various PRINT
Juicy Juice 64 oz bot, BOGO $3.65
Green Giant Canned Vegetables BOGO $1.29
Del Monte Tomatoes BOGO $1.39
$1/4 PRINT
General Mills Cereal, Lucky Charms, Cookie Crisp, Kix, or Reese’s Puffs, Golden Grahams or Cinnamon Toast Crunch BOGO $3.99
$1/1 PRINT & $1/2 PRINT
Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix, or Dessert Bar Mix BOGO $2.69
50¢/1 PRINT, 75¢/2 PRINT & PRINT
Knorr Sides, Assorted Varieties, 4 to 6.4 oz pouch, BOGO $1.49
Lipton Family Size Tea Bags, Iced Tea Brew, 24 ct box, (Excluding Decaf) BOGO $2.65
StarKist Chunk White Tuna, Premium Albacore, 6.4 oz pkg, BOGO $3.19
$1/1 PRINT (Use WITH BOGO Vocal Point Mailer = 2 FREE)
Pam Cooking Spray BOGO $3.39
50¢/1 PRINT
Planters Peanuts, Assorted Varieties, 12 or 12.5 oz can, BOGO $3.09
$1/2 PlantersTarget Q PRINT  (use w/ $12 from 1/24 SS = 50¢ ea)
Hershey’s Nuggets, Assorted Varieties, 10.5 to 12 oz bag, BOGO $3.69
Keebler Club Crackers, Assorted Varieties, 12 to 16 oz box, BOGO $3.99
Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers, Assorted Varieties, 12 oz bag, BOGO $2.39
50¢/1 PRINT
Right Guard Sport Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant, Assorted Varieties, 2.8 or 3 oz pkg, BOGO $2.79
$2/2 PRINT

Walgreens Photo: 7 Days of Deals!

Walgreens is running a new photo deal each day this week to promote their online photo service.  These 7 Days of Photo Deals (Click HERE) are a nice chance to get your photos offline and onto paper, and also to make a couple sentimental gifts (think Father's Day & Mother's Day!)  If you've been neglecting all the free photo book offers & just waiting for a solid deal on photo prints, then today's deal is perfect for you!

Feb 22: Get 40% Off Photo Prints w/code "DIGITAL40".  Choose In-Store Pickup to get FREE shipping!
Feb 23 - 27:  Check back tomorrow!

$1/1 Uncrustables Coupon UPDATE

 The original link I gave you for Uncrustables is giving everyone a hard time across the blogosphere.  Here are other 2 ways to get the coupon:

• Go HERE to print it
• Go to coupons.com, clear out the zipcode field.  Clear out your web address and retype coupons.com in the blank bar.  When it reloads you should be able to see the coupon.

A Week of Free Food!

There are lots of free food days coming up, and some ongoing free-food coupons. Here are some highlights to keep you eating for free or cheap all week long!

 Monday 22:

• Chattanooga Folks: Mellow Mushroom's 8th Birthday - Get FREE Pizza + Ben&Jerry's Ice cream cake until 10 pm!
• Fazoli's FREE Spaghetti w/ drink purchase.  Print coupon HERE 

Tuesday 23:

• FREE 3-Stack of pancakes at IHOP for National Pancake Day(7 am-10pm) Get details HERE *All donations go to Children's Miracle Network
• FREE Grilled Sandwich w/Large Drink purchase at Jack In The Box

Wednesday 24:

• FREE Kids Meal @ Fazolis with purchase of adult meal PRINT 
• 3 Boxes of Gevalia Coffee + Stainless Steel Travel Mug + FREE Shipping (all for $3) HERE

Thursday 25:

• FREE Fresco Taco from Taco Bell PRINT   

Friday 26th:

• DATE NIGHT!  Get $25 Gift Certificate for $2 HERE, using code "SAVOR - that's pretty close to free! 
• FREE Long John Silvers Crispy Fish PRINT

Restaurant.com: $25 Gift Certificates on sale for $2!

My DH & I are dropping all four kids off at "Paren'ts Night Out" this Friday and going out on the town!  It's been a LOOOOONG time, probably 7 or 8 months.  Well, just in time for our date night, Restaurants.com  is having an 80% Off Sale!  I'm excited, because lots of new restaurants have been added to the list lately.  That means we can go somewhere like KanPai of Tokyo for the same price as it would cost us to eat at McDonalds!

Right now, you can get a $25 Gift Certificate
to select restaurants in your area for only $2 when you use the code "SAVOR".

Locate a restaurant close to you at Restaurant.com

*These gift certificates usually require a $35 purchase - so think of them as a REALLY GOOD coupon for a nice dinner out.  Make sure to read the info below each restaurant for any special terms.  This is NOT a scam company, for those who are wary.  You can read their good standing with the Better Business Bureau HERE.

Kelloggs Catalina Update

I just wanted to flag you down before you ran out to Kroger (just in case that's what you were about to do!) and tell you I made a mistake.  Thanks Josie for the heads up on this!  The Kelloggs Catalina going on at Kroger this week ONLY includes the cereals listed below.  The MILK Promo going on at Kroger this week, includes any of the $2.50 items listed on sale.

If you want to get the free milk AND the $$$ Catalina - you'll need to stick with cereal.  I had previously posted to buy a mix of cereal and keebler cookies for the best deal - sorry for that mistake guys!

Kelloggs Cereal, Nutri-Grain Bars, Special K Bites/Bars, Keebler Crackers/Cookies: $2.50

★Get a FREE Gallon of milk wyb 4 (Limit 2x per transaction)

Kelloggs Catalina: Buy 3 ~ Get $1, Buy 4 ~ Get $3, Buy 5 ~ Get $4

(Good on Frosted Flakes, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Fruit Loops, Honey smacks)

Coupons:

Use $1.50/2 PRINT or $1/3 PRINT or from 2/7 RP

or Various Coupons found in specially marked cereal boxes

Deal Idea:

Buy (4) Cereals + Milk

Use (2) $1.50/2 Kelloggs

Pay $7 ~ Get $3 OYNO

Like Paying $1 ea + FREE Milk!

TIP: Use this $3 Catalina to do another Kelloggs deal and pay less out of pocket!

NEW: $1/1 Pillsbury Grands & $3/1 Aveeno Shampoo!

 Here are a couple new printables for you this morning:

• $3/1 Aveeno Baby Essential Moisture Shampoo PRINT (FF Link)

• $1/1 Pillsbury Grands Frozen Biscuits PRINT *Thanks Pamela!

If you like the Pillsbury Grands that are frozen in the bag, but can't find a good sale on them - here is a great tip from Tiffany (aka: FoxFunds)

"Yes, you can freeze a whole can of biscuits, but if you take them out of the can and flash freeze them on cookie sheets - you can make your own "pillsbury singles" biscuits. Freeze them and load up your freezer bags for one biscuit, two or twenty - they come out as fluffy as they were before freezing. I froze 80 biscuits today! 

 Another idea - bake biscuits until golden (not QUITE all the way). Cook sausage/bacon, bake eggs in muffin tins, add a piece of cheese. Wrap in wax paper & freeze for a fast breakfast during the week!"

Thanks for the tip, Tiffany!  I just got 12 cans of Grands FREE last night at Bi-Lo with the Pillsbury Catalina (ended yesterday) - and if I had a bigger freezer I would LOVE to try this out!  As it is, I just have my regular old kitchen fridge/freezer.   Leave a comment if you have any great "ways with biscuits", for those of us who have stocked up a lot lately!

Kleenex Catalina Starts TODAY

Down to your very last tissue?  Never fear!  Here's a friendly reminder for all you Bi-Lo & Kroger folks (and possibly other groceries as well) that a Kleenex Catalina starts 2/22. Get them for 17¢ ea at Bi-Lo this week!  Here's how:

 Buy Kleenex products (60 ct or larger) from 2/22 & 3/21 & get a catalina coupon for $$$ off your next order:

Buy (4) & Get $1

Buy (5) & Get $2

Buy (6) OR MORE & Get $3

BI-LO Deal:

Kleenex Facial Tissue, 110 ct, $1.00
Use 50¢/3 from 1/3 SS or Blinkies (Doubles to $1/3 if barcode starts w/a 5)

Buy 6 for $6 

Use (2) 50¢/3 Q's

Pay $4 OOP ~ Get $3 Back = 16¢ ea!

Perspective

Last year, I received an email from my best friend and college roommate, Whitney that her seven year old son had brain cancer.  They took him to the doctor thinking he might have low blood sugar, but instead it was cancer - her family's world changed in a moment.  Instead of Forester returning to first grade he would instead be admitted to the hospital for brain surgery to remove the tumor followed by months of radiation and chemo.  Their faith and hope in the Lord is incredible here is a link to Forester's story and how it all began.  I would encourage you to go back through the archives and start from the beginning, and read their journey.  What a testimony of God's grace and mercy in the midst of a "fiery furnace."  Start HERE in January 2009, at the birth announcement of their new baby girl.  The next post is the beginning of their journey.  Praise the Lord!!  Forester is now cancer free and has just returned to school.   

Today, when I read Whitney's most recent post about perspective HERE I could relate.  In the midst of my dad's cancer, my three year old daughter being diagnosed with diabetes, and us having three mortgages I remember those same feelings.  I don't ever want to lose sight of what my heart truly desires.  It's not for my house to be perfect, or laundry to be done, or even my grocery list ready.  Those things are nice but in light of eternity and my family they mean nothing. 

Here is a link to the blog that Whitney referred to in her post.  Below is a picture of Layla Grace.  I couldn't get through the first post without crying and hurting for this family.  So tonight, before I go to bed as I look around at what appears to be the remnants of a bomb that has blown up in my house I am going to thank God for the mess.  Dirty laundry means that my family is alive, toys on the floor mean my children are healthy, and my worn out tired body means that I was able to work today.  As I kiss my babies good night, I want to make sure that I thank God for today and his blessings in my life. 

I would like to ask that all of you pray for Layla Grace and her family.  To pray for Whitney's family and Forester's continual healing.  I know that this post is hard to read, and that the emotions that it stirs are difficult to feel, but the gift of keeping our lives in TRUE perspective is priceless.     

     

Layla Grace - February 12th

(her first bubble bath since May of last year) 

  

God, I pray that you hold your precious daughter Layla in your arms tonight and comfort her as she sleeps.  I pray that she rests peacefully and free from pain.  I can't imagine how much her parents are hurting it seems impossible to face, I pray that you would carry them.  I pray that your presence would be so real and that your peace that passes all understanding would envelope their mind and hearts.  Give them strength that is beyond their own, and hope for tomorrow.