The Business of Being Born

After receiving many recommendations for watching this movie, I got anxious to watch it & even got a free Netflix trial so I could. Sadly, I didn't even make it to the halfway point before turning it off. Let me be clear about my feelings about this movie. Please do not misunderstand me. I think it covers the sad story of birth in our country and helps to encourage people to better study their options before deciding how to birth. I am pro-"natural" birth and am glad that Ricki Lake, etc. took the pains to discover what is really going on with birth in our country (especially compared to similar countries around the world). The findings were interesting and depressing at the same time.

Leadership and Self-Deception

This is a really short read by The Arbinger Institute that will change the way that you look at your problems. I loved reading it! There are just a few too many examples that slowed the pace, but otherwise an easy to get through book (not including that time you feel to take for self-analysis). I love books that make you think!
In general, it discusses the nature of humankind to excuse ourselves (weaknesses, problems) by magnifying the faults of others. Self-deception sets in when we don't check ourselves and we begin to act in a way that seems "normal" to us but is really counterproductive our intended purpose. It also covers our opportunity to make choices everyday and that everyone can be a motivating leader by making correct choices and following the golden rule.
Fabulous book that is the answer to the business (which is mainly focused on) & family ills of the day. I found myself wondering what gospel topics are covered (only under a different name) in this book - repentance, forgiveness, self-less service, etc. (all Christ-like attributes). The best part is not that the book encourages these, but that during reading you will find yourself pondering what areas you are "in the box". I'm putting this book on my "will read again" list for sure.

Education Options

Some may think I'm a little too hasty, but Austin & I have already decided to "home-school" our children. There are LOTS of reasons for choosing this, but here are just a couple:

1. Content. This means a couple of things including (but not limited too) a more quality education, specific to their interests, including God & real truth. The last is the most important to me. God is an all-knowing, loving Heavenly Father & any truth we gain comes from Him. How can we take Him out of learning? I hate political correctness, especially at times when it means my children can't be told that God really did create the world. "That's one theory" they say. In my home, I don't have to worry about being politically correct by disguising the truth. In addition, I think the gospel can be integrated into so many more subjects and I am excited to accomplish that through home school. (Ex: Number 1 on my mind: Constitution was inspired by God, so what does He have to say about it?)

Why coupon?

A couple more "steals"...

For Memorial Day weekend my sister and I went "free shopping". We didn't buy it if it wasn't free. Of course, we used coupons and rebates to make the items free. It was fun to see what we could dig up at her Walmart. We ended up paying $0.17 for tax (the original total was $25.63) Here is what we got.
I went with my mother-in-law just yesterday (helping her see how to get things "free") and bought about $50 worth of items for $0.09! I loved coming home to show everyone.
My father-in-law keeps telling the kids he'll pay them a percentage of his savings if they do it for him. The best was my brother-in-law who said "Amy, I hope I marry a wife like you!"

Saving money through coupons isn't just about hording stuff or even just saving money on my monthly budget. You can give items you get for free to a woman's shelter, or canned goods for food drives. There are always people who could use these items. I also recycle my papers at the local elementary school and they get paid per paid back to the school. Then the items I buy with box tops for education (like ziploc containers) I cut and also take into the school. I love how helpful it can be to so many people!

Peach BBQ Talapia

I'm not really a big seafood person, but lately I have become a "grown-up" about the situation, broke down and bought some Tilapia (a mild fish) on a great sale, and tried it. Surprisingly, it was delicious. We used one of Paula Dean's recipes for Peach BBQ sauce. I'm not a huge fan of her recipes (pretty unhealthy), but this one is not too bad if you cut down the oil by about 1/2. You could also add some mango (we had some on the side, but I think next time I will throw it in).
A lot of people commented that the BBQ was way too much for the recipe, and they were right! So I froze the leftovers in a muffin tin ("ice cubes"), then put them in a ziploc bag in the freezer. I wouldn't exactly say I'm a seafood lover now, but I feel so much better about my food choices when I choose things that are healthy and not always because I "feel like it" or "it tastes good". Plus it is an adventure that provides for some fun discoveries in the world of taste!