This Video Made Me Cry....

....a lot, maybe because I'm a pianist, maybe because I was a member of the marching band, or maybe because I'm a mom. You won't regret watching this.....

To Bloggers Who Want to Make Money Blogging

As most of you know, I've recently changed the design of my blog, streamlining it and doing away with most of the ads. One incident in particular encouraged me to make the change. A few weeks ago, the twins were sitting beside me as I messed around on worked at the computer. My blog was open, and because I had four ads from the same company "above the fold", and they all happened to be ads for the same product, one of the twins started counting them...and got to four. It was then that I realized it was ridiculous to have four ads for the same product on my blog. How distracting. Yes, it was earning money to pay for the 19-year-old boy's mission...

(Isn't he adorable?)

....but there is a point when enough is just enough.

Also, for a long time I had felt guilty about advertising for products such a Pop Tarts, Coke and various prescription medicine.

So one day I took the leap. I contacted my ad agency, the company with whom I had had an amiable and lucrative relationship for over three years, and asked to be removed from their network. It was a hard stand to take, because I knew my finances would take a hit, but it felt like the right thing to do.

Now, in case you didn't know, God is a God of miracles and one church leader even told me once, when I was experiencing severe difficulties in my life and had nowhere to turn to but God, that The Lord likes to show off a little bit sometimes. I'll never forget that, probably because it's been proven to me over and over again in my life. The very next day after quitting my ad agency, a company called adbeans contacted me.

Adbeans is based out of England and they hire bloggers to post keywords with links in their posts. For each keyword you blog (one per post) you are payed via Paypal. I don't think I'm allowed to say how much, but let's just say that my income has tripled since joining the adbeans network. It may seem a small thing, but I view this as one of The Lord's many tender mercies in my life.

Here's how it works: adbeans will send you varying keywords with links and ask you to place them within the context of your post. For instance, if you write a travel blog, you may be asked to place the keyword "Jamaica holidays" with attached link within your post. After your post is written, let adbeans know, and money will appear in your adbeans account within 48 hours. It feels so internationally metro to be an American working in Mexico getting paid in British pounds!

If you'd like to apply, check out adbeans and see what they can do for you! Thanks for listening!

Just "like" this video on Youtube to help find a cure....

Yesterday my sister sent me an email asking for your help. I told her that my readers are wonderful and we could count on them, so here goes...

We'll call this boy John...

John is a friend of my sister, who works as a scientist to help find a treatment for his disease. John has pachyonychia congenita, a rare disease in which blisters and callouses form on the palms and soles of the feet. As children like John get older and become heavier, these excruciating blisters become so debilitating that some will eventually need to resort to using a wheel chair.

You can help find a cure for this disease by liking the video below on Youtube and sharing it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Thank you in advance for your help. :)

The Flowers of John's Gardens

I don't know if I adore John's flower gardens so much because they are reminiscent of Cancun holidays, where we spent our honeymoon, and John would take me by hand and bring me to the nearest hibiscus plant, pluck off a bloom and tenderly tuck it behind my ear, or just because they make me happy as I admire them through the window while I work at the kitchen sink. Either way, John's flowers bring me joy multiple times each day.

The following photos were taken last week by myself and the 16-year-old girl. I don't know the names of all of the flowers, so I'm posting them without captions. Thanks, again, John, for the large and small things you do for our family. I love you. :)

Another 50% Off Flirty Apron Flash Sale!

Just wanted to let you know that Flirty Aprons is having another flash sale on two of their cutest aprons!...

I just bought them!

This deal ends tonight, so if you want one, too, click the link below RIGHT NOW! Thanks for listening! :)

 50% off Flash Sale on Two Aprons, code STRAWMINT, expires 9/27 


P.S. Don't forget to use this code at checkout: STRAWMINT

Homemaker Monday

We'll see if I get my Homemaker Monday post up or not. Anyways, here's Linky Tools for those of you who have your posts ready. Thanks so much for your visits and links and have a wonderful Homemaker Monday!

Buttery Breakfast Biscuits

Here's an easy and delicious breakfast biscuit recipe I found at cooks.com.

These taste just as good as any biscuits you'll order in your favorite breakfast restaurant. Enjoy!

Ingredients

2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 tbsp. sugar
½ tsp. cream of tartar
¼ tsp. salt
½ c. butter
¾ c. whipping cream, light cream or milk

Directions

1. In a bowl stir together flour, baking powder, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of dry mixture, then add cream all at once. Using a fork, stir just until moistened.

2. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Quickly knead the dough by gently folding and pressing dough for 10-12 strokes or until dough is nearly smooth. Pat or roll dough to ½ inch thickness.

3. Cut dough with a floured 2½ inch biscuit cutter, dipping the cutter into flour between cuts. Place biscuits on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a 450 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until done. Remove biscuits from baking sheet; serve hot.

Perhaps this is why I love traveling so much.....

It's not always this pleasant, but these are the times that make it worth it...

Here, the twins were playing peekaboo with my mother's quilt...

And even though Baby Hippo had a fever, as you can probably tell by looking at his eyes, he was happy to be part of the fun, too...

Can't wait 'til the next trip! Thanks for listening. :)

38 Ways I Am Superwoman

Addendum: Ladies (and gentlemen?), my purpose in writing this post isn't to impress you, it is to celebrate our role as homemakers and/or mothers. As you read, think of how YOU are Superwoman, too! We each have our own ways we are amazing! I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

1. I can flip a broom from sweeping position to dustpan position with one hand, like a nunchuck warrior.

2. I can drop-shoot a poopy diaper into a trash can from thirty feet.

3. I can bank-shoot square blocks into a toy box from across the room.

4. I can tell which twin needs me by the barely perceptible difference in their vocal cords.

5. I can carry a 27-pound baby on my hip for two hours.

6. I can breastfeed while riding a horse.

7. I can easily prepare a meal for 60 people.

8. I can feed lunch to nine extra teenagers without notice.

9. I can make a pie crust without hydrogenated oil.

10. I can go from housewife attire to going-out wear in 7 minutes.

11. I can keep track of ten church outfits, including mini shoes and ties, and have each child donned in them before 8:30 on Sunday morning.

12. I can function on five hours of sleep for three years.

13. I can make bread out of nothing but sprouted wheat, raisins and salt.

14. I can go for years without a doctor visit, healing aches, pains, and sicknesses with herbs and other natural remedies.

15. I can feed a family of 10 at McDonald's for $13.

16. I can play Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata with a baby on my lap.

17. I can sit in the hot summer sun for three hours to watch a high school football game.

18. I can get enough protein into my teenage son without using meat to help make him an amazing athlete on game day, one of the fastest on the team.

19. I can pick up things with my toes to avoid bending over when there is a large fetus taking up most of my abdomen.

20. I can run down the hallway without peeing in my pants.

21. With the right small appliance, and a husband who was willing to purchase it for me, I can make 8 loaves of 100% whole wheat bread at a time.

22. I can fold a fitted sheet to a perfect rectangle in 55 seconds.

23. I can remember to keep on hand at all times everything required to make chocolate chip cookies.

24. I can tune out 4 screaming kids, and 3 fighting ones, while I'm driving.

25. I can make a dress, and wear it to church.

26. I can be on time for the 8 daily trips to the school.

27. I have eyes in the back of my head.

28. I can endure never-ending laundry without screaming.

29. I can heal a wound.... just by kissing it.

30. I can forgive.

31. I can grocery shop while miscarrying.

32. I can remember the exact dates of favorite loved one's passings.

33. I can remember all ten birth weights and dates of my children.

34. I can make a cake without a mix.

35. I can clean up a quart of molasses off the floor.

36. I can change a poopy diaper while experiencing morning sickness without throwing up.

37. I can breastfeed two babies at one time.

38. I can endure agonizing pain for 15 hours and happily smile when it's over as my husband and I cradle our newborn baby in our arms.


See, being a housewife isn't so boring after all. What makes YOU Superwoman?

Homemaker Monday

Let's get right to the point. I found another amazing apron store! Here are some of my favorites...

I can't tell you how much I am enjoying wearing aprons. Not only are they so practical, they add interest to my boring t-shirt/elastic-waist skirt look. Go HERE if you want to see more!

Now it's your turn! Can't wait to see your homemaking tips, recipes and how-tos! Thank you so much for your visits and links and have a wonderful Homemaker Monday! ;)



NOTE: It appears as though Linky Tools dot com is having some technical difficulties. If the linky isn't up, please leave your link and title in the comment section. Thanks!

Hotel Swimming Pool Time!

There's something I love about staying in a hotel in a new town. Last night we stayed in Silver City, NM to watch and photograph the 15-year-old boy's football game, but before the big event, the kids went swimming! Unfortunately, Baby Hippo wasn't feeling at the top of his game....

.....but the other kids (and my mom and I) had a great time!