JOY

The feeling of delight, happiness and pleasure. It’s one of the most cherished emotions you can experience in life. What brings you joy?

For me it's my faith. I have been a Christian since I was a little kid, but for so many people religious is about the actions and the duties and obligations, but it's about so much more.

It's about a relationship with the one who gave up everything for me. It's about the one who was perfect and sinless, taking on the guilt of the world, just so that we could live freely. Because of His sacrifice, I can be forgiven. I am covered by grace, and it's an amazing feeling.

I know everyone reading this may not agree or even believe in a God, but for me . . . I KNOW there is a God.

I once heard a philosophy teacher talk about how it's rational to believe in God. He gave us four scenarios.
1) Scenario 1 - God's real, and you do believe - You go to heaven and avoid hell
2) Scenario 2 - God's not real, and you do believe - You live a good life
3) Scenario 3 - God's real and you DONT believe, you go to hell
4) Scenario 4 - God's Not Real and you DONT believe - nothing happens

In Scenario 1, 2 and 3 it benefits you to believe in God . . . so do you really want to take the chance that he isn't real? It's food for thought, but my Faith is what brings me joy!

About Kleenex®:
The world's first and America's best-selling facial tissue, the Kleenex® Brand is recognized by families in more than 150 countries. Invented in 1924, Kleenex® Brand facial tissues were initially marketed as a sanitary way to remove cold cream and makeup. Once advertising was shifted to emphasize the product's use as a disposable handkerchief, however, sales soared. Always the innovative leader, Kleenex® Brand facial tissue has met the unmet needs of consumers for more than 80 years with products that provide the essential and uplifting touch that makes life better.

Send a friend a free pack of Kleenex: http://www.kleenex.com/softnessworthsharing
More info: http://www.kleenex.com/
Become a fan of Kleenex® on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kleenex

Pillsbury Pie Crust

What better way to celebrate than taking your family to visit a local apple orchard to pick fruit. Then, take those delicious apples home and bake the quintessential favorite – Apple Pie! It’s so easy when you start with Pillsbury® Refrigerated Pie Crusts, which deliver the look and taste of homemade without the time and stress of making a crust from scratch.

To celebrate all that apple harvest brings, Pillsbury is encouraging families to join in the fun in a number of ways this fall.

VISITING AN APPLE ORCHARD

To pick the best apples for your pie, gather the family for a road trip to the local apple orchard to savor the flavors of fall. Not sure which orchard is closest to you? Log onto tasteofhome.com/appleorchards to find a list of orchards that are planning Love the Pie! baking demonstration events across the country. While there, you can learn pie baking tips and ideas from State Fair Pie Baking Champions, and pick up recipes and participate in other orchard activities.

The best part of baking an apple pie is the memories you make with your family. Don’t forget to capture photos and videos of your entire adventure from your apple orchard visit to baking the pie at home. We’d love for you to then share your photos and videos with your readers by posting them to your blog and to Pillsbury’s "Love the Pie" Facebook page too! Join Pillsbury on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lovethepie and follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/love_the_pie .

In addition, you and your readers can visit Pillsbury.com/pie to download a printable coupon for $0.50 off a package of Pillsbury Pie Crusts today!

BAKING APPLE PIES TOGETHER

After your orchard visit, get the family involved in making pies and other treats together. Pillsbury Pie Crusts are an easy base for your favorite warm apple treats. Simply unroll into a pie plate, fill with your favorite variety of sliced apples and filling, and bake! From orchard to oven, Pillsbury Pie Crusts make apple pie baking simple with delicious results.

ENTER APPLE-A-DAY GIVEAWAY

Finally, if you want to add to your own apple pie baking knowledge and materials, check out the fun Apple-A-Day Giveaway sponsored by Pillsbury and Taste of Home at http://www.tasteofhome.com/Apple-a-Day-Giveaway from September 15 to October 15, you can enter for a chance to win a grand prize of $1,000, as well as pass along the fun to other friends. Each time you enter, you also have a chance at winning daily prizes. If you want to share this giveaway on your blog, simply provide the link.

Here are my attempts at pie:

Pillsbury provided me with the products & information through MyBlogSpark

My little sister is getting married

My little sister is getting married next month. I can't believe she is old enough to be getting married. It seems like it was just yesterday we were climbing trees, and making mud pies in the creek in our backyard, or pushing each other on the swing. I have so many fond memories of time spent with my little sister, and I know that marriage means that things will change, but she met a wonderful Christian man, who treats her like a princess, and she couldn't have picked a better guy!

Isn't her ring gorgeous? He chose well.

On November 20, 2010 my little sister will be a married woman.

It's hard growing up, but some changes are good ones. :)

Your Honey-Do List

5 things on your 'Honey-do' list that never get done

1. Finishing the paint job in the basement
2. Installing the back up sump pump
3. Cleaning the hardwood floors
4. Professionally tuning our antique piano
5. Installing the digital thermostat

Find a Local Contractor


Get a ContractorI wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and ServiceLive blogging program to be eligible to receive $100 in ServiceLive Bucks. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Grant Program

I think this is such a great program:

For those of you who haven't heard about this fantastic initiative, I am so excited to announce Huggies® MomInspired™ Grant Program. This program allows inventive moms to submit original, innovative and viable new business and product ideas designed to help make life easier for parents so that they can better enjoy everyday moments with their little ones. Until June 11th, you can visit http://www.huggiesmominspired.com/ to apply.

This program is open to moms who have an idea or already have a product/business and need additional funding to take it to the next level. Please note that the business or idea does not have to be one that fits within the Kimberly-Clark portfolio of products.This is all about helping moms nurture their business ideas and help them grow.

I know there are moms out there who have companies that need financial help.

By posting this information, I am entered into a contest to win a $250 American Express gift card from MomSelect. I did not receive any compensation for this post and thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Flowers?

I have always loved getting flowers, for birthdays, anniversaries or for no reason at all, but I know many women find them to be a waste of money, so I wanted to put this out there . . . where do you stand? Do you want to receive flowers, or would you rather be given the money to buy yourself something? I'm still a traditionalist . . . give me roses any day!

Five Fun Family Vacation Activities Your Kids Will Love

Five Fun Family Vacation Activities Your Kids Will Love

1. Flying a Kite on the Beach

2. Camping in the backyard

3. Please Touch Museums - kids love these!!!

4. Tour the Crayola Factory and get some goodies

5. Waterparks or Sesame Place

About Williamsburg Tourism

The Williamsburg area – Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown, VA – is one of America’s favorite family destinations, with adventure around every corner. Experience more than 400 years of American history and culture brought vividly to life at hands-on historical sites and world-class museums; share thrills and entertainment at exhilarating theme parks; discover unique finds and bargains, and enjoy outdoor activities in scenic parks, byways, nature trails and waterways. Whether it’s traveling backing to the 17th and 18th centuries, or forward into the 21st, the Williamsburg area offers vacation fun for all ages. http://www.visitwilliamsburg.com/

...you can view the discussion page here too :)

Fun Family Vacation Activities

Visit Williamsburg

I wrote this blog post while participating in the Williamsburg Tourism and TwitterMoms blogging program for a chance to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here