I DO...Until he won't

"A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; 16 restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand." Proverbs 27:15-16

Snapped up in the jaws of the evil one, we allow ourselves to be carried off into the Land of Contention.  It is a dreary place, to be sure, where all the inhabitants are woefully pathetic and terribly busy...complaining.

"Why must I manage his children even while I prepare a meal for him?  Doesn't he know that I have been busy all day, too?"

"He's gone and bought another tool to add to his endless collection, while I pinch every penny to keep our bills paid.  What I wouldn't give to get those new shoes I've had my eye on.  Will he never notice my sacrifice?"

"Well, doesn't that just beat all?!!  Sleeping in on the weekend again when I'm bone-tired from managing his home.   However did I end up with such a selfish man??"

In this not-so-far-off land, the phone is in constant use as one housewife mutters to another about her troublesome lot in life.  Surely a fellow victim will understand this terrible plight.  And sure as day, her faithful friend laments with her over deadbeat husbands and mourns the lives that could have been.

If you so much as step a toe inside the city limits, you'll be in danger of sinking in the mire of discontent.  Listening in on such babble will cast a different light on what you previously thought was a happy life.  You'll quickly learn that you deserve more, better.  It will become plain that you have been duped...played the fool.  If you tarry long in this dreadful place, you will come to look upon your beloved with eyes dimmed from entitlement.

Run, dear one, run for your life.  Run for your marriage.  Run for your man.  Get thee back into the arms of God who can show you the ruination that will become of such a people.  Give Him your heart and learn at His feet how to be the wife your husband needs.  It may be a bit distasteful after dabbling in the idle chatter from the desperate housewives of Contention.  It might not feel right, like a shoe that is too snug.  Trust in Him and His ways.  Let your eyes be peeled from yourself.  Put away the score card and ditch that chip that planted itself so comfortably on your shoulder.

But as you turn your back on the inhabitants of this loathsome land, be warned:  You may just find your husband becoming the man from your dreams as you become the wife from his!!

{{Photos courtesy of my Firefighter♥}} 

Linking up with:  The Better Mom
Time Warp Wife
Growing Home
Far Above Rubies 
Women Living Well 

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Our Chore Chart/Housekeeping Schedule

Would you like a peek at my simple housekeeping schedule?  I have tried cute chore charts and fancy planners and I never stick with them.  One day I got a good sized white board and immediately fell in love!  This was clearly a relationship that would last!!

Ooh-la-laaaa

This board holds every basic task that is assigned to each person.  It isn't elaborate, but it works perfectly for us.

Disclaimer:  You may want to hide your dry-erase markers or some joker might see if he can get by with replacing his name with those of his siblings. Not that anybody around here would try a sneaky little trick like that!  ((ahem))

Would you like a closer look?

Getting Busy

Basic household tasks are listed out for each person so that they can easily see what needs doing.  The wonder of the white board is that when I decide to change things up a bit, I use my handy eraser and I can start fresh. {Note:  The tasks underlined in red are the ones that are to be completed before breakfast.}

KP

Kitchen duty is broken up by day and assigned to two people at a time.  Wednesday rotates.  Tasks include:

• Rinsing dishes and loading in the dishwasher (they usually choose to have one unload the clean dishes from the previous meal and the other load up from the current one)

• Scrubbing out the extra pots and pans or setting them to soak (still working on training them that EVERY pot doesn't need to soak, even if that is easier than actually scrubbing it!)

•  Wiping down the stove, counters and table...with emphasis on wringing the rag out before making a mad swipe!

• Taking out the trash (this is always done by whoever is older in the pair with KP that day)

Critter Care

Animal chores are assigned by day, with Sunday and Monday rotating.

{In case you were wondering, we rotate by looking at each name from the previous week and selecting the next child, in birth order.  So if last Wednesday Child #1 and Child #4 had KP, this week Child #2 and Child #5 would have it.  Clear as mud??} 

A few extra jobs

Friday to-do's are posted on that morning and then we assign tasks to each person from that list.  These are done in addition to the basic list and ensure that we greet the weekend with a clean and cozy house.

Focus!!

Focus days are just that...days of the week to specifically focus on a larger project.  So while all the other smaller jobs still get done, one area gets a bit of extra attention.  Gotta be honest here...this is on our board, but we haven't been using it lately.  I'm leaving it there and sharing it because I love the concept and plan to get back to it starting next week.

Look to the Ant...

Extra projects contain those little things that we'd like to get to, but that aren't terribly pressing.  If we get a bit of time, this serves as a reference for ways we can make good use of it.

Taming the Laundry Monster ((sorta))

A laundry schedule seems like a great plan.  And it is, I'm sure, once you have successfully trained the troops to keep it moving!!!  Any Laundry Boot Camp classes available in VA??

Scrub-a-dub-dub

Yep, it even helps to schedule showers/baths.  We have a few people to move through the soapy water so this cuts down on the disagreements about who showers when!

 These two little guys get off easy and only have to sit around looking cute.  Their day is coming, though!

That is our housekeeping, in a nutshell!  How do you stay organized?  What am I missing?  I'd love to hear your tips and tricks to stay on top of the chore chart chaos and keep your home functioning efficiently!!  If you have a blog post of your own on the subject, feel free to drop a link in the comments!

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This post is linked up with:  Women Living Well

Raising Homemakers

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TFOMplus2 in 2012...Come grow with me!

With just days to go before we usher in the New Year, I have been doing some soul-searching.  The process of taking a closer look at my life is somewhat uncomfortable.  It is easy to pass over the "ugly" and charge forward with my plans, but stopping and taking a hard look at my motives can be very telling.  With that said, I want to share with you my plans for this blog in 2012.  The Lord may end up revealing that He has something else in mind, but for now this is where I am...

What you can expect to find here:

• Me--Raw and Real.  I have gone back through some of my previous posts these past few days and one thing that struck me is how much better I look in writing.   I want to offer encouragement, information and resources without portraying myself as somebody that my family wouldn't recognize!
• A link-up.  "You sure have your hands full!"  "Better you than me!" "You do know what causes that, right?"  I've heard it all and so have you.  The dynamics of a family with several children {or multiples} within a few years of each other requires some careful planning and purposeful parenting.  I'd love to have you link-up a related post at A Handful of Heart Mondays or just stop by to see what's offered.
• Prayer requests.  A recent health-related episode had me wanting to ask for prayer, but due to the sensitive nature I wasn't comfortable offering much information.  I decided that I'd like to provide a place for you to solicit prayer with as little, or as much, detail as you'd like.  This link will be visible so that we can be praying for each other!  Look for an updated link every Friday.
• Giveaways.  And from this point on, they will come at you with no strings attached.  No extra entries for liking my Facebook fan page or following on GFC.   Extra traffic can certainly help monetize a blog, but the Lord can prosper my family financially in His own way!  Beyond that, I want to go back to my roots and simply blog from my heart!  The number of followers doesn't matter...YOU do!!
• Affiliate links.  I am blessed to have the opportunity to earn a little money from some carefully selected businesses.  You will find links in my side bar and within some posts {actually you already can} and you need to know that by clicking on them and making a purchase I may be compensated.  Feel free at any time to by-pass these links and simply type the web address into your browser. 
• Phase Two of blog development is in the works, and among other things, will include several contributing writers.  ~Still looking for contributors for vegan cooking/baking, health/wellness/fitness and DIY crafters.  If you have any interest in being a part of  this community (even if you don't have a blog!) email me at tfomplus2@gmail.com.

What you WILL NOT find here:

• A replacement for your quiet time with the Lord.  Nothing and Nobody can do that!!

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Let me know what you think or feel free to offer suggestions.  Looking forward to spending 2012 getting to know you better!

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5 Date-Night (at home) ideas

You know how important it is to keep your marriage strong, but finding the time and energy {to say nothing of the money} to "date" your husband, is another matter entirely.  If you have children, things get all the trickier.  But what if you could effectively woo your husband right at home...no babysitter, no money, no pressure?  You can, and I'd like to share 5 ideas to get you started!!!

1. Write a little note~tuck it in his briefcase or bag~asking him to join you later for a moonlit picnic.  Of course, being winter right now, you can make it a picnic by candlelight!  Just throw a blanket on the floor, light some candles, and prepare to relax with your man.  If you have children, resist the urge to spend the whole time talking about them.  Focus on your husband.  What are his dreams for your future together?  What does he wish he had time to do now?  Make eye contact and listen not only with your ears, but with your heart!
2. Get dressed up to go out and then stay in.  I'm ashamed to admit it, but I rarely move beyond the casual look.  But my husband notices the little things, like if I spend a little extra time on my hair or wear a different shirt.  Imagine his delight if your hubby finds you decked out JUST FOR HIM...just because!  It matters little what you do that evening...he'll be easy to please.  Read a book together, play a board game or just sit and chat.
3. What was your first "date" like?  Did you have dinner out?  Watch a movie together?  Sit and talk about nothing (and everything!) for hours.  Recreate that moment right in your home.  Netflix the movie, take a stab at the meal, fix your hair like it was that night.  If your start goes back a ways, your hairstyle could get interesting!  Relive that first experience and remember what it was that brought you to this point!
4. Get your sweat on!  Raise your heart rate...and his...by popping in an exercise video and going for it!  We all need to move more, but if you have kiddos in bed, you may not be able to leave the house for a nighttime walk.  Exercise releases endorphins that enhance the mood.  Not only will you feel better but your attitude will improve, too!  And working out with your guy is the perfect time to brag on his muscles!
5. Plan a spa night.  Give him a certificate to be redeemed that night and shower him with the works.  Create a quiet, relaxed atmosphere with the lights dimmed and soft music playing.  Talk in quiet tones (or don't talk at all) and really focus on working the stress right out of him.  Don't forget his hands and feet!  And don't be upset if he falls asleep.  Just tuck him in and snuggle up!

____________________________

Linking up with:  Raising Homemakers

Deep Roots at Home
Women Living Well
Raising Mighty Arrows 
Our Simple Country Life 
The Straightened Path

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I'd like you to meet...

I was recently tagged with the Versatile Blogger Award.  The best part of that was the introduction to the lovely Nicol over at LOV {Ladies of Virtue}!  Don't you just love the unique spelling of her name?  Her blog is beautiful, and restful and encouraging.  I am so glad for the opportunity to "meet" her!

I was asked to share 7 random things about myself, so here goes...

1. I love to clean and organize but when it comes to the really big organizational jobs, my husband does it so much better than me!
2. I always say that green is my favorite color but I honestly have no idea why.  
3. I dislike cold weather but would not want to move somewhere that didn't have it.
4. I have a love/hate relationship with Coke.  I hate that I love it.  Something I am determined to let God have in 2012.
5. I wear a size 8 1/2 shoe but always first try on an 8.
6. I have conceived twins 3 times.  
7. I love people, but get socially awkward when in a crowd. 

The instructions were to nominate 12 bloggers and let them know about it.  My computer time is at a premium right now and as I sifted through blogs I kept happening upon people who already had just been given this same award or another with similar instructions and I didn't want to be a bother to them.  With that said, I nominated two blogs {and later found out that at least one of them already received this award :) }

Both of the blogs below are full of worthwhile reading!!!!  I was blessed today as I visited them and read what they offered in recent posts!

~ Andrea at She Looks Well to the Ways of Her Household ~And twice-nominated JES at Heroines of the Faith
If you have a minute, stop by and visit these ladies.  Don't forget to introduce yourself! Thank you again, Nicol!!

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Unplanned Christmas...and 2 winners announced!

My Christmas wasn't just exactly as I planned.  This past Thursday afternoon, I was rushed to the hospital in the back of an ambulance.  It was a strange experience and one I hope never to repeat.  Life looked very different as I lay there awaiting the arrival of the ambulance.  I can't say that my thoughts were totally clear, but one thing is for sure...I was wishing I had done things differently.  I had regrets!!  Oh boy, did I have regrets!  And even now that I am doing well and at home (sleeping more than I am awake, it seems) I still am being plagued by those regrets.  I am not comfortable with the ME that I found that afternoon.  I shudder when I think that at any moment it could all end, and I am still just ME.  Yuck!  My heart longs for MYSELF to be pushed out to make room for HIM.

There is no need to wait for a new year...the time is now.  He doesn't care that I am a mess.  I don't have to fix this or change that.  I don't have to attempt to hide my flaws or failings~His love covers them.  I have to do just one thing~~offer Him room in my heart!!
 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I am excited to announce that we have TWO winners for the $50 Bulk Herb Store gift card GIVEAWAY!!  They are.......................................

Entry # 46 - Cheryl Long

and

Entry # 104 - Kara Johnson Emerson

You will each be receiving your $50 Gift Card as soon as I hear from you with your mailing address.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered and for helping me spread the word!

__________________________________

I also wanted to make one last call to Katy from the Country Blossom...

I haven't yet heard back from you.  Please send me your mailing in

fo and I will happily get this book Breaking Free off to you!

{If I don't hear back by tomorrow morning, I will go ahead and select a new winner}

Have you heard of the Moore Family Films?  If not, I'd like to introduce you!  Stay tuned for information regarding another GIVEAWAY that will be coming in about a week.  

________________________
I'm linking up with:  Growing Home
Time-Warp Wife
Deep Roots at Home

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Notes to Self: Take Two

I was up this morning sifting through memories as I perused my old posts.  This particular one was from last year when my kids were at our church school...and I only had five of them!  While the months have added inches (and birthdays!) to these kiddos, my heart longs for them to stay small!

Notes to Self:

1. If taking 5 children into the grocery store straight from Clash Day at school, be prepared for the strange looks that will certainly be cast your way. Not only is it just slightly bizarre to have five kids these days, but when they are dressed in embarrassingly mismatched outfits (including pajama pieces scattered about) and shoes it is even worse. Not only do you obviously have no concept of family planning but you have no doubt given up trying to maintain any semblance of an ordinary family!

2. Also when making said trip into the grocery store for "just a few items" don't cringe in horror when the register tally is over $100. Just be thankful that it was payday and you won't be back to counting out change to complete purchases for at least a week! Just kidding.

3. Just plain stop being shocked when you see your 7 year old daughter running around in pants that don't even quite reach the ankle and find upon questioning that they are in fact NOT her little sisters. Chalk it up to yet another growth spurt and smile and pretend you are as excited as she is that her height is nearly the same as the brother who is 2 1/2 years older. And keep that smile pasted on as you sign at the X to purchase clothing that will fit properly...for about a month!

4. When you arrive at school in the morning and notice that your son has one black ankle sock and one white tall sock (and it is NOT Clash Day) pretend that you appreciate his uninhibited approach to life and say nothing. Resist the urge to go into the school and tell everybody that you actually do laundry and the child really does have clean--and matching--socks at home!

5. When your 5 year old wants to help clean and proceeds to wipe down windows (that were in reality already clean) with the rag that was just used to scrub the bathroom, don't fret. It's nothing that a half hour of your precious time can't fix after she has scampered off to draw again and can't see you do-over her work. Repeat to yourself that it's all in the attitude!

6. When your 11 and 12 year old sons challenge you to a wrestling match, taunting that they can easily take you, go ahead and "trash" talk back with full confidence in yourself. And then when the match actually starts and you find that with every day you have grown older they have gained in strength and endurance, do the one thing you have going for you...tickle them. It's about the only way to save face and keep them clinging to the idea that just possibly Mom still has it!

7. Likewise when your son wants to arm wrestle and you find yourself suddenly linking hands with a skinny version of Arnold Schwarzeneggar there is no shame in praying for the phone to ring at just that moment. But if you are really smart(and not competitive to a fault!) you will find a way out of the challenge to begin with!

8. When your sweet little girl begs to be picked up for a hug upon arriving home from dining out and you oblige only to find that beneath her cute dress she has no panties...don't give it a single thought.  Modesty is good, overreacting and missing the lovin' is not!


9. Don't overreact when you spend more than an hour preparing a nice meal for supper and then not 30 minutes after the meal has been cleared away somebody asks you what is for supper. Their lack of working brain cells that actually communicate with their stomachs is no reflection on your skill in the kitchen!

10. Realize that your children's idea of fun is not always deeply compatible with your own. Being the mommy dog AGAIN is not the worst thing in the world. Having kids who don't want to play with you is!

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And a few notes to my friends...

~Don't forget the series Back to the Basics will begin January 2!  Feel free to spread the word!

~The start of a new year is a great time to make a few changes!  And I have a few plans for TFOMplus2!  Pretty excited over here!! :)

~There is still time to get entered to win one of 2 $50 Bulk Herb Store gift cards.  Enter here!

_____________________________
I'm linking up with:  Growing Home
Time-Warp Wife
Raising Homemakers 
Women Living Well

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My Christmas Gifts . . .

There is no need to wait for Christmas morning.  My gifts surround me...I couldn't ask for more.  I have one in each size with a blessing all their own! ~~~

He holds my heart and makes life fun...

This guy keeps my house clean and my life full...

This one keeps me laughing...

Little man keeps me guessing...

My blue-eyed blondie keeps me humble...

This crazy girl leaves me speechless...

Chubby and relaxed, he loves to snuggle...

Skinny and spirited, he LOVES his Daddy...

Isn't that just like Jesus to go and give me all these gifts for HIS birthday?!  What have you been blessed with??

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Should we be comfortable?

There are some friends that allow you to "let it all hang out".  You can be whoever and whatever comes naturally to you and they accept and encourage it.  There is no pressure and few expectations.  Sounds like the perfect friend, right?  Maybe so, but...

Is God really interested in our comfort?  Or is He more concerned that our security lies in Him?  I believe He places people in our lives to grow us in different ways.   Not all friendships are equally yoked in that different people bring varied strengths and weaknesses to the table.  But that is the beauty of it.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 27:17

There is something to be said for a friend that loves without condition.  But even more so for one that loves you so much they want to see you prosper.  And being that kind of friend is a blessing without measure.

The very best model of this relationship is Jesus himself.  You can be the worst kind of friend, leaving Him neglected for days at a time...yet He waits.  You can use and abuse Him, calling on Him only in times of desperation.  He won't turn His back on you, but will answer your call with His own plea for your heart.  When He watches you head down the path toward destruction He won't stand there shaking His head or pointing His finger.  He'll come along side you and offer a better way.  He won't force it on you, but will give you hope for a better future.

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.

C.S. Lewis

So go ahead and let your hair down.  Be real.  Be you.  But keep your eyes fastened on this Friend who can be trusted with your heart!

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Precious moments

 My husband left for work at 4am this morning.  At just that moment, a little man {that looks an awful lot like him} was deciding it was the perfect time to greet the day.

 

He was cooing contentedly, so I went ahead with my morning devotions.  He continued to gurgle and squeal until I was finished and went to him.  I don't know what woke him several hours before his usual rising time, but it sure had him happy.  

So I spent a beautiful, relaxed hour with my little man.  Holding him, snuggling him, and treasuring those quiet moments that are so rare.  He's a twin, though he looks NOTHING like his brother.  The natural tendency is to lump them together as a unit.  We call them "the babies" more often than we call them by name.   

Levi is the snuggly little critter peeking at you!

But he is Levi...unique and precious.  Infinitely loved and abundantly spoiled!  

His giggles and grins and sloppy, wet kisses are infectious.  He may have shared the womb, but he has his own special place in each of our hearts!!

We are one of many, for God's children are numbered like the stars.  But we are the ONE to Him.  The one He wants to talk with.  The one he wants to listen to.  The one He woos day after day.  We are precious to Him just as though we were the only one!

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I'm linking up with:  Women Living Well

Raising Homemakers
Deep Roots at Home 

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There is still time to get entered to win one of 2 $50 gift cards to the Bulk Herb Store.  You can do it here!

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Don't they know?

Get entered for one of 2 $50 Bulk Herb Store Gift Cards here!

I got out of bed feeling out of sorts.  It was early, because those precious hours before sunrise are the prime opportunity for a busy mother to meet with her Lord.  I had loads of things on my mind, though, distracting me. I was exhausted before I even got started and things went downhill quickly!

The kids woke and thundered about upstairs waking the babies.  I heaved a sigh of frustration.  I didn't feel ready.  Didn't they know my heart and mind were elsewhere this morning?

The now awakened babies were alerted by their rumbling tummies that feeding time was now.  They, in turn, alerted me.  Wails came from their sweet little room before I could make my way back there.  With slumped shoulders and a long face, I went to attend to them.  Didn't they know I was tired?

Breakfast was sparse because the cupboards boasted little that was appealing.  I reached for the oats, again.  A little voice from behind me quietly asked, "Mama, can't we have something different this morning?  We've eaten a lot of oats lately."  I turned around in wonder at the lack of gratitude in my child.  Didn't he know he ought to just be grateful for food to eat?

My husband looked at me with those questioning eyes.  The ones that tell me he is confused and wondering what is going on in my head.  Was I ill?  Or upset with him?  He reached out to rub my shoulders and I stiffened, not quite ready to have my reserve melted as he so easily manages to do.

I think on this scene in shame, because I honestly have nothing to carry on about.  My life is good.  Really good.  I love my people and they love me back.  My days are filled with so much blessing that I have ceased to see it all for what it is.  My heart hasn't learned to be satisfied and so I yearn for just a little more.  More rest, maybe.  Or more quiet.  More energy and less laundry.  Yes, I suppose there are times that I even wish for less.  Always yearning for what is just beyond reach.

This morning I will be grateful.  For happy babies {and even crying ones!}.  For dirty dishes and messy faces.  For tangled hair and endless chatter.  For footballs being tossed and boys who like to wrestle.  For a husband that spoils me silly and always goes the extra mile. How can I not be thankful for that??

Most importantly, I will open my heart to the One who is calling me back to the roots of gratitude!

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I'm linking up with: Teach me Tuesdays

Titus 2sdays

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Christmas, Giveaway winner...and another Giveaway!!

Another Monday is upon us and this one is special!  It is the last one before Christmas!!  The countdown is on.  The stockings are hung and the tree trimmed.  Goodies have been baked {or in my case, the baking is a bit behind schedule!}.  Take a minute this morning and think hard...who or what are you celebrating this year?

It is so easy to give lip-service to the Christ of Christmas, yet still deny Him in the festivities.  I love the holiday and love to give gifts and get together with family.  But do I also love reliving the story of my Savior as He came as a babe to this dying world?  Is that passion interwoven into everything I do so that it spills over onto my family?  It's good to run a self-check every now and again!

And while we're on the topic of gift-giving, I'm delighted to announce the winner of Beth Moore's book entitled Breaking Free.  It is...

Katy from The Country Blossom!

I had a peek at her lovely blog and boy was that a treat!  Right now she has a post up about how she is...and isn't...celebrating Christmas this year!  Congratulations, Katy!  I will be emailing you this morning!  And thank you to everyone else who entered!!

And because it is just so much fun to bless you, I have another giveaway {the first of 3 actually!} for you this morning!  Are you familiar with the Bulk Herb Store?  If not, you may want to be!

This place is stuffed full of amazing products for enhanced living and improved health!  Shoshanna pours her heart into her passion and every one of her customers benefits!  Aside from the great product line, there are lots of great resources!

 

I have $50 gift cards for TWO of my readers!!  Getting entered is simple...

   

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