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Guest post from Asheritah of One Thing Alone If you’re anything like me right now, you’re counting the days until the temperatures rise and all the white stuff on the ground has melted and spring has arrived. And while booking a cruise to a tropical island sounds like a great idea right now, most of us just can’t afford that. So to help you ward off the winter blues, here are 5 fun and free ways to make the most of these last few weeks of winter: 1. Build a snowman. I know, I hear you: delving into the snow sounds like the last thing you want to do. But sometimes, heading outside can help make fun memories that make the time go by faster. So grab a friend (or your kids), bundle up, and head out in the snow. Who knows — you might just enjoy yourself. 2. Book a Movie Night Getting snowed in is the perfect excuse to pop in your favorite movie and enjoy a bowl of popcorn. And since it still gets dark early in the evening, there’s no reason not to plan a movie night during the week, too. (Bonus points if you set up a themed movie night. Morrocan dinner and Casablanca? Yes, please!) 3. Catch up on your Reading List Most of us have reading lists a mile long. Rather than scrolling through our Facebook feed our watching yet another cat video on YouTube, pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read. You’ll soon find yourself immersed in another world, and the snowstorm outside your window won’t seem half as bad. (For tips on how to read more as a busy mom, check out this post by Crystal.) 4. Join a Lent Challenge Typically, Easter comes right around the dawn of spring, so why not spend the 7 weeks leading up to it doing something that will give you a sense of purpose? Lots of people give up something for Lent and find the practice very fulfilling. Others read through portions of the Bible with a group of friends. This year, every day leading up to Easter, I’m thanking the people who make my life special. If you’re interested, you can join me in the #40Thanks challenge here. 5. Cozy up under the covers. So this might not be for everyone, but for those of us who are married, there may be a lot of free entertainment waiting in our bedrooms. Why not take these last weeks of winter to spark the passion in your marriage and rediscover why you fell in love with your husband in the first place? You’ll likely spark a fondness that will grow all year long. These may sound simple, but a little creativity goes a long way in making the bleak midwinter just a little brighter. Try one idea for each of the next five weeks, and before you know it, the warm sun will be warming your face — no credit cards required. Asheritah helps overwhelmed women find joy in Jesus on her blog and through her books. She’s also the instigator of the #40Thanks movement, a challenge to see Jesus in the kindness of others.
Aldi 1 5-lb bag Baking Potatoes – $1.69 2 2-lb bags Lemons – $3.18, plus receive $0.25 back from Checkout 51 – $2.93 Cabbage – $1.29 1 bag Mini Sweet Peppers – $2.29 2 3-ct packages Romaine Hearts – $3.98 1 2-lb package Red Grapes – $2.38, plus receive $0.25 back from Snap by Groupon – $2.13 3 16-oz bags Baby Carrots – $2.17 2 16-oz packages Ground Turkey – $3.78 1 8-oz can Baking Cocoa – $2.19 2 8-oz cartons Heavy Whipping Cream – $3.78 2 24-oz cartons Cottage Cheese – $4.50 1 package Mini Marshmallows – $0.89 1 8-oz package Mushrooms – $1.29 1 large bag Kale – $1.99 1 32-oz package Spaghetti – $1.59 1 4-lb bag Oranges – $2.49 2 dozen Eggs – $3.18 1 20-oz package Roma Tomatoes – $1.79 (I was so disappointed they were out of the advertised $0.79 grape tomatoes!) 2 16-oz cartons Egg Whites – $3.98 1 gallon Milk – $2.99 1 48-oz carton French Vanilla Ice Cream – $2.49 Total after Rebates: $53.41 
Ollie’s Ollie’s is a discount store right by our house that has a wide variety of discounted items. My husband was taking my children there to pick out some birthday presents for my soon-to-be-one year old, so I asked him to pick up some vanilla for me. Always the over-achiever, this is what he came home with.  4 jars (7-oz each) Pure Vanilla Extract Total: $11.96 
I was super excited that my Mom and youngest sister sent me a care package this week that included these favorites! Weekly Total: $65.37 Weekly Menu Plan Breakfasts Oatmeal and Fruit x 3 Scrambled Eggs and Toast x 2 (Veggie Omelettes for me) THM Pancakes (from the Trim Healthy Mama book) Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, Fried Eggs Lunches Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwiches x 2, Grapes, Peppers Baked Potatoes topped with leftover Chili, Carrot Sticks Build Your Own Tossed Salad (Romaine, Kale, Assorted Fresh Veggies, Hard Boiled Eggs, Sunflower Seeds, Shredded Cheese), Crackers Macaroni and Cheese, Oranges, Peppers Leftovers x 2 Dinners Three Cheese Baked Spaghetti (using ground turkey), Italian Garlic Bread, Tossed Salad, Steamed Broccoli, Ice Cream Pie (Birthday meal for my youngest!) Chili (using ground turkey), World’s Best Honey Cornbread, Carrot Sticks Meat Potato Quiche (using turkey bacon that I bought several weeks ago), Green Beans, Oranges Fried Egg Sandwiches, Smoothies (using a combo of kale, oranges, frozen strawberries, frozen bananas) Kielbasa with Potatoes, Cabbage and Carrots, Pull Apart Oat Rolls Chicken Carbonara, Leftover Pull Apart Oat Rolls, Tossed Salad, Steamed Peas Leftovers Snacks Smoothies, Black Bean Brownies, Popcorn, Pumpin Spice Latte (for me) 
3 Books I Read This Week: Unstoppable — All in all, there was a lot of food for thought, motivation, and inspiration in this book. I think it would be especially encouraging for those who feel called to do something but are struggling because it’s hard, and heavy, and discouraging, at times. It encouraged me to keep going, keep running the race I’ve been called to, and keep persevering even on those days when I really want to give up. This was one of my favorite parts of the book… 
Help Me, Jesus! I Have Nothing to Wear! — I heard the author speak at a conference not too long ago and loved her suggestions and tips for dressing well. I was so inspired, in fact, that I went and bought her book and had her do my color analysis at the end of her session. This book is a fun read with lots of pictures and practical application. I didn’t necessarily agree with all of the conclusions, but I love how it helped me further formulate what my style is and how I can put outfits together in a way that compliment my shape, height, and personality. And it’s a good thing I had this help because I had to spent quite a bit of time working on putting outfits together this week (see my Instagram picture here for more details!) The Cricket in Times Square — This book was a huge hit at our house with all the kids. It starts out a little slowly but quickly picks up into a fast-paced adventure that all of our kids loved. They would beg me to read extra every day because they enjoyed it so much. And we were very sad when we finished the last chapter. 
9 Books I’m Reading This Week:
Parenting the Wholehearted Child — Can I be really honest with you? Parenting books aren’t my favorite genre. In fact, I typically steer clear of them. I was raised in an age and culture where many families followed parenting books and discipline plans to a tee and, well, much of the fruit from all that didn’t turn out so great. It left a bad taste in my mouth for the whole “follow steps A, B, and C as a parent and you’ll be a Godly family/good parent” etc. So yes, I kinda prefer to stay far away from anything that remotely resembles a system or method of parenting. Because I truly have come to believe that there are no one-size-fits-all plans. At any rate, I was hesitant to start this book because it fell under the “parenting book” genre. But I’m so glad that I did. I’m two chapters in and it is honestly turning out to be one of the best non-fiction books I’ve read in a long time. I just want to sit and read the whole thing in one sitting. But on the other hand, I want to process it slowly so that I can take it all in! She Reads Truth Lent Study/Bible — I am loving the Lent study so far… as I have loved all the She Reads Truth studies. Seriously, one of the best things I’ve invested in for my personal spiritual development and relationship with God ever. 
Stepping Heavenward — My new friend, Allison Burr, (who is not only been a huge blessing to my life by helping me with some business projects but is moving from Minnesota to just 15 minutes away from me this very weekend — I’m so excited!) sent me this book and said it was one of her very favorites ever. Can you believe I’ve never read it? I’m working on remedying that stat. The Imagination Station: Book 16 — All the kids have been anxious for me to start this one ever since it showed up in our mailbox! Love Without Limits – For years, Nick Vujicic has been a huge inspiration to me. I was excited to see that he had gotten married and is a dad now and am looking forward to reading this book from he and his wife. The Relational Soul — This book came highly recommended to me by a friend. It looks intriguing and I can’t wait to start it. Lizzy & Jane — So far, I’ve found this to be really engaging! Long Walk to Freedom & Kaffir Boy — I’m slowly working through these as I seek to understand more about South African history. See all the books I’ve read so far in 2015 here. 
Who Wants to Win FREE Books? Leave a comment telling us what you read recently and you could win the stack of books shown above + a $5 Starbucks gift card! 
Have you tried out Listia before? It’s a site where you can list items you have that you no longer need or use and then you can earn free credit that you can cash in for gift cards — including Amazon gift cards! Read more about how Listia works here. Have you tried Listia before? If so, I’d love to hear about your experiences! Looking for a new moisturizer? You’ll want to be sure to sign up for this giveaway! Aubrey Organics Age-Defying Moisturizer is a preventative moisturizer that protects skin from environmental stressors and reduces the appearance and depth of wrinkles giving you firmer, younger-looking complexion. The ingredient list for this moisturizer includes sea buckthorn (a powerful antioxidant) and golden seaweed to protect your skin from sun and pollution, while carnosine (an amino acid) and milk thistle work to firm your complexion and smooth fine lines and wrinkles with twice daily use. SAVE 25% ON ANY ORDER Use coupon code MSM25 to get 25% off any Age-Defying Moisturizer purchase (expires 3/31). Plus, get free shipping on orders over $25.
Find out more about Aubrey Organics Age Defying Moisturizer here. Would you like to enter to win some Aubrey Organics Age-Defying Moisturizer? Just click on the graphic below and type in your name and email address. 12 winners will be chosen and posted next week. This giveaway ends Saturday, March 1, at 11:59 pm, CST. 
Aldi 1 bag Whole Carrots – $0.99 1 bag Red Grapes – $1.98 1 bag Spinach – $1.79 1 carton Mushrooms – $1.49 1 pkg (3 per pack) – Zucchini – $1.49 2 bag Chocolate Chips – $1.59 each 1 can Black Beans – $0.59 1 Frozen Orange Juice – $1.19 1 lb Ground Turkey – $1.89 1 Baking Powder – $0.99 1 Half & Half – $1.89 1 pkg Rice Cakes – $1.29 1 pkg Strawberries – $1.69 (I bought these before I went to Green Acres and saw the marked down strawberries.) 2 Grapefruit – $0.59 each Total with tax ($1.55): $23.18  Green Acres Market
2 pkg Strawberries – Marked down to $0.99 each 1 pkg Organic SuperGreens – Marked down to $0.99 Total with tax ($0.23): $3.20 
Dillons 1 Russel Stover Marshmallow Egg – $0.50, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon 1 Juicy Fruit Starburst Gum – $1.29, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon (These free gum coupons are sure coming in handy as rewards for my Awana girls each week!) 1 Dream Blends Milk – $2.25, used $2/1 printable – $0.25 after coupon 0.60 lbs Broccoli – $1.13 0.63 lbs Tomatoes – $0.81 1 gallon Milk – $2.59, used $0.40 Ibotta rebate – $2.19 after rebate 1 Kroger Sandwich Slims – $1.79 1 pkg Corn Tortillas – $1.77 1 Kroger Greek Yogurt – $3.39 1 Kroger Mouthwash – $1.49, used Free mailer coupon – Free after coupon 1 Kroger Spaghetti Sauce – $1 0.93 lbs Asparagus – $1.85 2 Cucumbers – $0.79 each 1 Romaine Lettuce – $0.99 3 Mom’s Best Cereal – $1.50, used $0.50/1 e-coupon – $1.33 each after coupon Total with tax ($1.44) after coupons and rebate: $21.18 Total for all grocery items: $47.66 Menu Plan for This Week Breakfasts Cereal x 2 Toast & Eggs x 3 Biscuits & Gravy, Eggs, Orange Juice 10-Minute Stovetop Granola, Fruit Lunches Peanut Butter & Jelly Rice Cake Sandwiches, Tossed Salad x 2 Fruit/Crackers/Cheese/Veggies x 2 Leftovers, Spinach Smoothies Cheese Quesadillas, Fruit/Veggies Sautéed Veggies with Spaghetti Sauce Dinners Mexican Lasagna, Steamed Peas, Strawberries Chicken Pot Pie, Tossed Salad Veggie and Chicken Stirfry, Oatmeal Muffins 3-Cheese Ziti with Turkey, Steamed Broccoli Steak Fajita Sandwiches, Grapefruit Ground Venison Vegetable Soup, Crackers, Cheese Slices Out to eat | 
