Deals, Deals Everywhere!

So I have been a terrible blogger, but here I am again.  I think aspiring to write something inspirational every day made me stop writing all together.  I'm going to write what's happening, what I'm thinking about, and sometimes something inspirational will come.  I'm lowering the expectations on myself.  So today, I'm talking about something that I love -- deals.  If you know me, you know I love clearance, deals, and coupons.  There are some amazing ways to get deals out there and some sites I love to use.  I will tell you some of those sites and why I like them.  Hopefully you will find them useful as well :)  If you're a facebooker, most of these sites have facebook accounts as well that update frequently with new deals.

My Points :) - I put a smiley, because this is one of my all-time favorite sites.  Anytime you want to purchase something online, purchase through the link to your favorite websites on this site.  You will get points for everything you buy, emails you click on, and other various things.  You can use the points to score free gift cards.  We order online from time to time and are almost at our 2nd $50 amazon gift card. Check it out :)

Daily Deal Sites

Groupon - one of our favorite daily deal sites with new deals every day specifically for where you live - we've gotten great hotel, restaurant, shopping, etc... deals through groupon
Living Social - another fantastic  daily deal site - we've gotten some great hotel and restaurant deals
No More Rack - I haven't ordered from here yet, but they have great deals that change every day at noon cst - usually designer brand related for much cheaper.
There are LOTS more than this, but these are some of the most popular.

Couponing
There are lots of couponing websites, but these are some of my favorites:
Hip2Save - great site with lots of deals nationwide - she also has lots of great couponing tips and uploads videos explaining how to save more money
A Full Cup - my favorite couponing website with lots of information and support to help you on your couponing journey.  If you are looking for a specific coupon, search their coupon database!
My Milwaukee Mommy - Lots of local and nationwide deals - there are similar sites for other cities.
Krazy Coupon Lady - another great couponing site
*My Points, which I told you about above has a lot of the printable coupons available on their site.  When you print and use them, you get more points!

Miscellaneous
Pixel of Ink - If you have a kindle, this site could be your next best friend.
*Register for emails from your favorite restaurants and stores.  You get free things on your birthday :)
Educator Discounts - This site contains a list of 66 places that give teachers a discount - SCORE!


If you're new to the world of internet deals, this may seem like a large list.  Trust me, this is only the tip of the iceberg.  Check out one or two of the sites, and let me know what you think!

I'm a princess too!

I got up this morning to watch Prince William and Kate get married in front of billions of the world population.  Last night, I got really excited about it.  In my lifetime, we haven't been able to watch something of this magnitude.  My mom watched Diana and Charles get married, and I wanted to be able to tell my children that I watched William and Kate get married.  Now I can :)  It was wonderful to see the way they looked at each other, confirming that this is not another political move, like has happened in their history, but this is truly a couple who love each other and want to be married.  I also loved hearing all of the Scripture quoted throughout the ceremony from various parts of the Bible.  The Gospel was proclaimed throughout the world this morning through the venue of a royal British wedding.  Thank you, Lord!

Through the whole ceremony, I was reminded that they are normal people just like you and I, except he was born into British royalty and is in line for the throne.  When she was born, her parents never imagined she would ever talk to royalty much less be royal herself.  What an amazing thing to think of.  It makes me think of our position as children of God.  Before our redemption in Christ, we are "commoners" who can not talk to royalty, much less be a royal.  When we are redeemed and become a child of God, we become a child of the King, a prince or a princess with all the rights and privileges of heirs of royalty.   I'm a princess too!

My Father is rich in houses and lands

He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands

Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold

His coffers are full; He has riches untold.

I'm a child of the King, a child of the King

With Jesus, my Savior, I'm a child of the King.

"Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory."  Romans 8:17

He Holds Your Hand!

Happy Wednesday!
Thanks for the sweet comments about yesterday's post.
Throughout this year, my mom and I are memorizing Scripture with Beth Moore's Blog Community.  I will be sharing what some of these verses have spoken to my heart on this blog.  In February, I memorized a verse that really resonated with my heart.

"For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."   Isaiah 41:13

I'd probably read that verse a thousand times in my life, but I never really saw what it said before.  How many times have I been afraid and forgotten that God is right there with me, doing life with me?    When you walk down the street and see a mom and child or husband and wife or grandmother and grandchild holding hands, doesn't it just melt your heart?  This verse promises that is what God does for us - HE'S HOLDING MY HAND!  Wow!  How can I ever walk a day the same?  He's not hovering over me, ready for me to mess up like some people envision.  He's not sitting on a cloud hoping I'm okay.  He's right here with me in the trenches of life, holding my hand.  Let's live in that reality that God loves us so much He is holding our hands helping us to get through anything that comes.

A Sunrise

a sunrise.

One of the most simple yet beautiful things God ever gave to us.  The promise that he has created life to go on and the earth to sustain us as we live the life he has created us to live.  What a faithful God we serve, yet so many times I look around me and get caught in the circumstances of life.  I forget about the sunrise.  I forget about the beauty God has given me each and every day if I would just take the time to look.  One of my friends in college started calling me "Sunrise"  because my name is Dawn.  I love the nickname, because it reminds me that God is in control of the sunrise, and He should also be the one in control of this "sunrise."

*Thank you, Lord, for sustaining me, for helping me to rise each day to serve you and do life with you, never alone.  Thank you for my husband, my family, and my friends who you have given me to do life with.  Thank you for this blog, where I can share what you have been teaching me and hopefully learn from others as well.*

"He is like the light of morning at Sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth." 2 Samuel 23:4