Day 2: Thankful for a basket full of pumpkins! The orange ones were $1 each, but the cute, wiggly ones are priceless!

Hi Dears! I’m starting on day 2 of this glorious month to post 29 days of gratitude in photos. Yes. I’m a day late. But I’m thankful that it’s just ONE day late!

Day 1: Thankful for Savannah learning to paint birds with her Grandma. Thankful that Savannah loves nature, art, and beautiful things. Thankful for her talented Grandma spending time with her. Exceedingly thankful for these loving words from Jesus: Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? (Luke 12:24 NKJV)

I got to meet one of my frugal mommy heroes! I found Crystal’s blog, Money Saving Mom, a couple of years ago at a time when I really needed encouragement. It was from the Lord! I learned so much about saving money on groceries, giving, freezer cooking, home management, etc.! Anyway, when I told Chris that Crystal was going to be in Tyler doing a reader meet-up, he said, “Are you going???” in that of-course-you’re-going tone of voice. So I went, and Sarah went with me!

There were about 15-20 ladies there, mostly young moms, and we just shared about ourselves and our frugal journey and had a little q and a time. I left with some tidbits of encouragement that are still blessing me as I think on them and work them into my home.

It was great time! I loved every minute. It was such fun to meet new people (some of whom looked familiar from seeing them at the CCC Sale). There were also some other bloggers there from A Slob Comes Clean (I’m enjoying this new find!), TexasThriftyPenny, and Pary Moppins.

You can visit Money Saving Mom to see a picture of the whole group of frugal gals!

Are you familiar with Paperback Swap? It’s a site for exchanging books with other readers from around the country. The only cost to you is the shipping when you send a book to someone else. I’ve been “swapping” for about a year now, and it’s been good! Then, recently, a met a paperback swap angel!

It started with needing a book for our school lesson. I could not find the book in the library, so I went to find in on PBS (paperback swap). A few days later I received a package in the mail with 12-ish children’s books in it (including the one I requested) and a note that said, “Enjoy some free books!” How amazing it that? Well, it get’s better…

In the package was another book that I needed for the next school lesson! God knew! He is so INCREDIBLY thoughtful!

I sent a thank you note to the dear lady that sent the boatload of books, and she messaged me back saying she had more to send! Yes, MORE! So then another pack of 10-15 books came. I sent another thank you note with drawings from the children and a picture of them reading. And what do you think came in the mail today? Yes, another huge pile of kid’s books and a sweet note from this dear teacher in New York, who just wants to bless us. She said she knows the books are going to an incredible place, our house!

Here is a picture of Savannah with 40 books from Ms. F. This isn’t even all of them, because, of course the children have spread them around enjoying them thoroughly!

The generosity of this dear stranger from New York has been a hug from the Lord. And I know, the Lord loves Ms. F in New York. He said so…

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.“ 2 Corinthians 9:7

Here are a few interesting articles we thought you might enjoy!

America’s Billion Dollar Baby Scam – Interesting infogram on the pull on parents to buy “the best” baby things.
Why Does Some Music Make You Cry? – Do you know why?
How Companies Learn Your Secrets – This articles was fascinating concerning marketing strategies, but also concerning forming and breaking habits. Long, but good!