Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan Newborn Sweepstakes

I was given some exciting information that I wanted to share with some of my local Oklahoma readers! If you had a little one in 2011, you might just win this amazing sweepstakes!

The sweepstakes details are listed below, and you can find out more at www.ok4saving.org.

OCSP 2011 Newborn Sweepstakes

The Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan will award one child born at a participating hospital in Oklahoma during 2011 with $5,529 toward his or her college savings. Parents, grandparents or guardians may go to www.ok4saving.org until April 14, 2012, to enter for a chance to win a prize that will put them on the path toward a college education and a brighter future.  

Visit www.ok4saving.org for official rules and details.  No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited. 

members unite

Giving is a large value that both my husband and I wanted to make sure Austin knew a LOT about. We try to lead by example by tithing our 10% or more, regularly cleaning out our closets for donations, and giving away everything extra (read: baby items that tend to take up your house).

This past weekend, I included Austin in the "Clean the Toy Box Extravaganza!' This consisted of him emptying the entire toy box, while I organized everything into piles of give, discuss, keep. Everything in the give pile went into a donation box. Discuss pile? I would ask Austin, "Would you like to keep this or give it to someone else to play with?" I know what you are thinking...he demanded we keep all of them. No, he didn't. He gets yes and no pretty well and decided to give a lot of things away.

That's why, when given the opportunity to participate and share Members Unite with you, I was thrilled. Being a member is actually pretty fun. It works off of a voting process, one month at a time. What are you voting for? Where your contribution will go! For a $5.00, $10.00, or $20.00 contribution, you can actually unite with others for the cause you love!

 First up, a list of 9 meaningful project concepts, complete with details and photos explaining the cause. It is up to the members to vote and decide which 6 projects move on to Week 2!

In Week 2, we get to vote again to narrow our choices down to 3 projects. Need more info about the remaining 6? To help you make an informed decision, Members Unite provides us with more details and context about each concept, how they plan to implement it, and will be available to answer questions and give specifics! I love a good educated vote. 


Week 3 Now its time to focus on the TOP 3! The conversation really gets going among the members. This is your time to tell everyone why you are so passionate about your project of choice! 


Week 4 is when members will cast their final vote for the project they think should be funded. Exciting stuff if you ask me. By the end of the week, votes will be tallied, and a winner will be announced! 


Once the voting process is complete, Members Unite  keeps you updated on the progress of the project. If that's not impressive, I don't know what is. I love seeing where my money goes! 


I hope you will consider joining me during this first week of voting! We decided $5.00 was what we would start with this month. If that seems like a do-able amount for your family, head on over and get signed up! And let me know if you do, you will get a pat on the back from me! :) 




So, what did we vote for this week? 

Give the Healing Power of Man’s Best Friend to Wounded Vets

"American soldiers put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, and we need to work together to do our part to help them when they return home. In the course of their work, US soldiers often see and endure things most of us cannot even imagine. As a result, nearly 20% of the soldiers returning from places like Iraq and Afghanistan are likely to suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Research has shown that one of the most effective treatments for helping vets cope with PTSD is the love of a dog. Soldier’s Best Friend is a philanthropic two-fer: they provide canine companions to veterans AND simultaneously find homes for dogs in shelters. If this project wins, we will be able to provide funding to rescue and train two dogs to provide love and support to two veterans and their families."

Why was this important to us? Well, my brother in law just came back from Afghanistan, this wasn't his first time to go....and , as you all know, we are huge dog lovers in our home. Beau Dean was a rescue dog and I truly believe he has helped me through some tough stuff. Not to mention Austin was all over the word "dog" when I read it to him. He hugs the dogs countless times a day...right after throwing a Hot Wheels at them. :) 

For a limited time, Members Unite is offering my community a 50% off discount on the annual membership fee of $25! Use code “WELOVEMOMS” when you sign up! 

Worship Wednesday plus Some

HI! How was your Valentine's Day?? Mine was spent with a sick bambino!

 

But not without flowers hand delivered from my husband! 

Love them! He always goes to my favorite florist for them. :) I am blessed. 

With Valentine's Day over, I wanted to thank everyone again for participating in the Find Some Love Fest. It was so much fun and I hope you all found some new blogs and inspiration. I heard some great things from YOU, the participant about how much you enjoyed it!

Our number one viewed link was the Messy Bun Tutorial from Kaleigh Hamilton!! 

Coincidentally, I JUST found out Kaleigh is from Oklahoma!! YAY for Okie bloggers! (Ok, yay for all bloggers.)

 I wanted to ask about your interest in a possible spring time link up? I personally can't wait for Spring and would love to see what you have planned for the warmer weather! If you have any interest in co-hosting or participating, please leave a comment below! 

Aaaaand, lastly...enjoy the Yahweh from Hillsong United! Worship Wednesday, folks!

 He shall reign forever. 

high five for friday

woo hoo! friday!! let's do this.

1. The cat did my laundry.

2. This changed my life. I WILL be making a pie with this crust. 

3. I got 2 nights with this guy while daddy was with friends. I learned he loves carrots. He is so my child. 

4. I got to Skype with these lovely ladies!! 

5. Birchbox Beauty Bash is today! Go check out all the fun links-and add yours too!! 

New Series and a Superhero

Heeeyyy! So before we get to the new series, I just had to show you these photos. Is this not the cutest? We found a great sale at Baby Gap and even their Junk Food Collection was on sale! Woo-hoo! I think Wise was more excited about the pieces that I was. :)

After some thought about it, I have decided to start my four week series on...you guessed it, pie! It is the holiday season, and what better time to share a few new and old recipes! 

Feel free to join me throughout the series with your own pie recipes.I would seriously love it if you did!!!  If I receive enough interest, I will create a link for you to join in. Also, I would love it if you would share your favorite pie or one you would like to see made. You, the reader are my inspiration! 

First Up, Lemon Meringue. This is my husbands favorite pie. I knew I had to find a good recipe he would approve of, and this one gets five stars from him. I have made this pie a few times and really enjoy how simple it really is. Meringue was really intimidating to me...until I actually researched how to make it. So easy! I'm weird like that sometimes. I have an irrational fear of making yeast breads. Ahhh! Bread hooks! Kneading for hours! Grinding my own flour! Yeah, see. I told you I was weird.





Lemon Meringue Pie

Prep: 20 minutes


Bake: 350 degrees, 10-12 minutes


Yield: 8-10 slices of pie

Ingredients

Filling:

• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 lemons, juiced and zested
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 egg yolks, beaten
• 1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked and cooled

Meringue

• 4 egg whites, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 6 tablespoons sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Lemon Filling:


In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Wisk until incorporated.


Stir in water, lemon juice and lemon zest.



Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until mixture comes to a boil. Stir in butter.



Place egg yolks in a small bowl and gradually whisk in 1/2 cup of hot sugar mixture. Whisk egg yolk mixture back into remaining sugar mixture. Bring to a boil and continue to cook while stirring constantly until thick.

 

Remove from heat and let cool, then transfer to baked pie shell.

Meringue:


In a large mixing bowl, combine vanilla, egg white, and cream of tartar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or until soft peaks form.

 Gradually, add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed about 4 minutes or until mixture forms stiff, glossy peaks and sugar dissolves (rub a small amount between two fingers; it should feel completely smooth, not grainy).


Immediately spread meringue over pie filling, carefully sealing the edge to prevent shrinkage.



Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until meringue is golden brown. Let pie cool 20 minutes before transferring to refrigerator. Chill for 2-3 hours before serving.



Please visit my link parties page to see who I linked up with this week!

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Friday Feature and Babies!

Happy Friday! I'm proud to announce two more Friday Features over at The Little Birdie Blog! If you are visiting via Rachael, Welcome!

And if you popped over from Truly Lovely, hello!! I was featured on their Facebook Page!

Yesterday, a dear friend and co-worker gave birth to her first baby! There really is no way to explain how happy I am for her! You really just don't get it until you are a parent. 

My sister had her son before I had mine. I seriously could not get enough of the kid when he was born (and still to this day.) 

I just want to pinch his little cheeks!! 

But for me, I just didn't get that indescribable, unconditional love you have for your own child until Austin was here!

Pardon the puffy, sleep deprived face...cute.

Before I was a parent, I had no idea how much a child would change my life. I think we all sort of know what its all about, but this truly is one of those experiences you must be in to "get it."

Despite the moaning and groaning of pregnancy( a healthy one at that), the horrifying thought of weight gain, and bad skin, I would do it all over again....a million times. 

I was featured!

Yay!!! My first feature! Go check it out, there are several other tasty recipes that I reeaaaly want to try.

In case you missed it:

Tortellini with Mushrooms and Artichokes in Light Lemon Butter Sauce

LOOK!

That's right. 59 degrees. Guess what that means?? BOOTS!! The world has become a normal place again!

I'm cozy.

Let's try that again...

Nope...still not right. But there sure is someone cute back there...

There we go. And I'm in long sleeves!

My Land O Lakes Fat Free Half and Half was polished off at work yesterday, so I was able to open my new creamer!

Yummmmmm. I honestly cannot taste any difference. I may or may not have been drinking more coffee so I could finish my Land O Lakes and open this yummy carton. 

Have you made the switch to any non-dairy products??