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Why I’ve Been Quiet (And All the Joy That’s Been Filling the Silence) and more...
Why I’ve Been Quiet (And All the Joy That’s Been Filling the Silence)
I owe you all a big I’m sorry. I just realized I haven’t written a personal post since May, and honestly—it’s not because I didn’t want to. Life just got a little crazy (in the best way).  First up, we had Wonder Junction VBS at church, and it was SO much fun. Day 1 kicked things off with so much excitement and joy.   I had parents coming up to me all week just to say thank you for how special everything was, and that meant the world to me.  Huge shoutout to the decorators who brought Wonder Junction to life. And an extra special shoutout to Rich for taking my wild idea for a glow-in-the-dark mining tunnel and making it a reality. At the end of that tunnel, the kids reached Bible Time—where they discovered the real treasure.  Each day of VBS was full of energy, worship, laughter, and some of the best conversations I’ve ever had. The boys have grown so much in their friendships and in their faith.  I got the chance to answer their deep (and sometimes hilarious) questions—about God, heaven, hell, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Greek gods (and how they’re not the same as the one true God), and Satan (who was dumb enough to think he could become God).  I’m sure there were more questions—but those are the ones that stuck with me.  We also celebrated two major milestones at home! My “dad” had a birthday, and we got to celebrate the man who CHOSE to be my dad even when he didn’t have to. Here are just a few of the things he’s taught me over the years:
I’m beyond grateful for the legacy he’s given me.  And finally… Connor graduated from preschool! He’s officially heading to Kindergarten. We celebrated with the biggest strawberry sundae ever because—obviously—life’s too short not to.  Weekly WinsThis week’s win? I finally made it back to the Detroit Institute of Arts—and even better, I got to experience it with my mom and my sister!  It was a long day filled with so much beauty, history, and laughter. We managed to see every single exhibit, which is saying something!  If you’ve ever been, you know how much there is to take in. Here are a few of my favorite paintings.        We soaked it all up—tired feet and all—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  What made it extra special was sharing the day with my mom. Growing up, we didn’t have a lot. Money was tight, but my mom still made it a point to take us to places like the DIA. She showed us that you don’t need a big budget to fill your life with culture, beauty, and meaning. Those experiences shaped who I am, and I’m so grateful for that legacy.  And because of that, I’ve made it a point to pass that same love of art, learning, and memory-making on to my own kids.  Favorite FindThey might be a little big, but these bracelets are some of my favorite finds ever. Kinsley made them herself and gave them to Rich and me, and let me tell you—they mean the world to us. Each colorful bead and twist of elastic is packed with love, care, and her sweet little heart. It’s more than just a bracelet. It’s a reminder that the most meaningful gifts don’t come from a store—they come from moments, memories, and the hands of the people we love most. I’ll proudly wear this big ol’ bracelet any day of the week.  What I’m Watching/Reading/Listening to:We had such a fun night out a few weeks ago, when we got to go to an advanced screening of How to Train Your Dragon and let me tell you… everyone loved it! It was full of action, heart, and those moments that just get you right in the feels. I was especially happy to see my friend Annaliese and her friend there—they were able to use a couple of the free tickets I gave away and join in on the fun too! One of my favorite moments? Toward the end, my older grandson started teasing his little brother for getting a little emotional… but his little brother’s response was PERFECT: “What? Everyone in here is crying right now.” And honestly? He wasn’t wrong. We were all trying to blink away the tears. But don’t worry—it ended on a high note! In fact, if you were in the theater with us, you probably heard Rich yell out a loud “Woohoo!” when things got happy again. All in all, it was an unforgettable night and definitely a two thumbs up kind of movie from all of us.  Thanks for sticking with me even when I go quiet for a little while. Life may be busy, but it’s full of blessings, and I love getting to share them with you. More soon (I promise).      • View comments • Track comments •
When Is Amazon Prime Day?
When is Prime Day 2025? Look no further because all of the official details for the newly announced Amazon Prime Sale are listed for you below! Reminder – Prime Day is ONLY for Prime Members – so sign up for your 30-Day Free Trial here so you’ll be able to shop! You’ll find everything you need to know, including how to make sure you’re ready to grab the best deals as soon as they drop.  Amazon just announced they are going to run another Amazon Prime Day in July this year. Amazon Prime Day 2025The Prime Day Sale runs July 8th through July 11th this year. Prime Day is a huge four day Amazon event!  The four day sale is going to be like Amazon’s own early Black Friday – and just like Black Friday this is a shopping event worth planning ahead for so you don’t end up feeling overwhelmed. You’ll be able to snag some really great deals during the Prime Day Sale this year. This retail event is exclusive to Amazon Prime members only. You’ll want to sign up for Amazon Prime to have full access to all sale events and early deals (Or get a FREE 6-Month Student Membership!)  What is Amazon Prime Day?Prime Day is an online shopping extravaganza usually held annually in late July. It’s designed to offer special discounts and deals to customers who pay for their purchases through Amazon Prime. In addition to offering deep discounts on products, Amazon also offers additional perks such as free two-day shipping and access to music streaming services. This year they are giving us a second Prime Sale just before the holidays!  What are the Best Amazon Deals You Can Get?Last year, we saw a lot of big sales on Amazon products, TV discounts, as well as Amazon promotional credit codes. We also saw some early prime day coupons appear, as well as Amazon promotions starting a few days before the actual sale began. So you’ll want to be ready to grab those!  How to Get Ready Now for Amazon Prime DayFollow all of the steps below to get ready for Prime Day 2025 and have the best chance at getting all of the deals you’re looking forward to this year! Sign up for Amazon PrimeMake sure to get your FREE Amazon Prime Membership, if you don’t already have one, so you are ready to go on July 8th. Free Amazon Shopping CreditsUsually, before Prime Day, Amazon offers various opportunities to get free Amazon credit. Gift Card Shopping CreditComing Soon… You can use some of them to shop the Amazon Prime Sale, we’ll definitely be watching for them for you. Which leads me to the next step. Join the Exclusive Deal GroupJoin our Saving Dollars and Sense group here, where we’ll share the best deals and all of the Amazon Shopping Credits that we see leading up to the sale and all day long. Know the DealsDeals usually go live every five to ten minutes, during the 24-48 hour period. Be sure to follow us via email so you don’t miss any deals. You can subscribe to our email list at https://savingdollarsandsense.com/email-newsletter-preferences/. Early Deals for Alexa ShoppersShop with your Alexa-powered device if you have one, so you can take advantage of Alexa-exclusive deals. Last year, Amazon offered several Alexa-only Prime Day deals, and this year, Amazon is already flaunting pre–Prime Day prizes. Lightning DealsThese super-limited offers are the best-of-the-best and never last long. Last year, to qualify as a lightning deal, a product had to be at least 20% off its list price. Once you put a lightning deal in your cart, you only have about 15 minutes to checkout. It would be wise to bookmark the Lightning Deals page on Amazon for these deals – they usually sell out quickly and there aren’t any leftovers. Create a WishlistAmazon will notify you if any of the items on your Wishlist become Prime Day deals. Having your item in your cart already will save you a step during the sale and give you a better chance at getting what you want. Amazon Prime CardConsider getting the Amazon Prime credit card. You’ll immediately get a $100 gift card and 5% back on all Amazon purchases.  Lastly, Bookmark our Amazon Deals Page here. This is where I always post the best Amazon Deals I find, even after Prime Day has ended.  • View comments • Track comments •
Great Wolf Lodge Deal $94 (WAS $350)
I have an amazing Great Wolf Lodge Deal to share with you today – as low as $94 per night stays (regularly up to $350)!  This is a great time to book a reservation for some family fun! You can choose a single-night stay or multi-night stay and enjoy some family time at this popular indoor water park resort. Choose from 19 different Great Wolf Lodge locations, with different pricing and package options at each.  How to Save Money at Great Wolf LodgeIt’s rare to find Great Wolf Lodge coupons or promo codes, which is why I will always share this Great Wolf Lodge Groupon top deal when it comes around. Allow me to tell you a little about why I love this place so much. It started several years ago when we were looking for a fun and out of the ordinary vacation idea for our family.  Great Wolf Lodge seemed like a natural fit for our outdoor, nature loving family. We went the first year with no idea what to expect and LOVED every minute of our time there. It was Labor Day weekend and they held a special Luau party that included lots of crafts, food, games, and contests. Including a pie eating contest which my husband was first in line for! It was perfect for him and he won and the prize was another FREE night’s stay to use anytime in the next year. So we made it an annual trip for the next several years when he continued to win the contest each year.  Great Wolf Lodge DiscountsThere is an awesome Great Wolf Lodge deal running on Groupon today, that you’ll really want to check out if you are interested in taking your family to splash around the pools, ride the water slides, and enjoy all of the other attractions they have to offer. This offer is for up to 45% off your stay at Great Wolf Lodge, and includes many locations nationwide.  As low as $94 per night, you’ll gain access to everything Great Wolf Lodge has to offer! Including the award winning waterpark!!  Great Wolf Lodge DealsIncluded in your stay:
You’ll also find many other extra activities including arcade rooms, MagiQuest, Ten Paw Alley Bowling, Build a Bear Workshop, Mini Golf, Compass Quest, and More! Note: not all extra activities are available at all locations.  I’m sure this deal will sell out so make sure you purchase this special offer for your next stay while you still can! Grab your Great Wolf Lodge Deal here.   • View comments • Track comments •
Sticker Earrings & Stadium Dogs
We had the best time celebrating Rich’s 48th birthday this week surrounded by family, laughter, and a whole lot of sunshine. We kept things simple with a backyard BBQ, apple pie, and ice cream for dessert—and of course, our family’s forever-long birthday song tradition that always gets everyone smiling (and maybe rolling their eyes just a little too).  One of the highlights? Cherry Pepsi slushies from our slushie maker—they were a hit with the kids and adults alike!  For Rich’s gift, I gave him a brand-new pair of Air Jordans to replace the ones he’s had for nearly ten years—since our son Richie left for basic training in the Air Force. Definitely a full-circle kind of moment.  The kids had a blast hanging around the bonfire, walking the nature trail, swinging in the hammock, and feeding the chickens. It was one of those days that just felt like summer should—slow, sweet, and full of heart.  Connor and Liam even stayed the night so we could take them to their very first Tigers baseball game the next day—on Rich’s actual birthday! It was so fun watching the boys take it all in. They even made it on the jumbotron during the 2nd inning!  It happened to be Kids Day, so they got to ride the Ferris wheel for free and go down on the field to run the bases after the game. We had great seats, lots of sunshine, and Connor kept calling the hot dogs “stadium dogs”—which just made them taste better somehow. They also got certificates marking their first Tigers game, which was such a thoughtful touch.  As for the actual game? I hear the 9th inning was amazing… but we missed it because we were waiting in line for the kids to go on the field. Worth it.  Later that week, I had a special day with just Kinsley while her mom and dad took the boys on their end-of-school-year field trips. We soaked up our one-on-one time—playing outside on the swings and trampoline, painting watercolor pictures, building a blanket fort, and just enjoying the quiet fun of being together.  She was thrilled about her “new earrings,” which were really just pretend sticker earrings—but to her, they were absolute treasure.  Weekly WinsThis week’s big win? I finally rolled up my sleeves and got down to business on Wonder Junction VBS decorations—and it felt SO good to make some real progress! I checked a few fun things off the list:
 There are still a few bigger projects on the horizon, but with all the awesome helpers we have, I know everything will come together just in time—and it’s going to look amazing for the kids! Can’t wait to see Wonder Junction come to life! We’re turning our space into a full western town with cactuses, sunflowers, trains, mine shafts, and more—and I could really use some help gathering supplies!  Favorite FindThese tiny buttercup flowers, picked just for me by sweet Kinsley, completely made my day. It’s the little things—sticky stems, tiny hands, and unexpected treasures—that remind me how beautiful the simple moments really are. “Every good and perfect gift is from above…” — James 1:17  What I’m Watching/Reading/Listening to:We recently watched Fountain of Youth on Apple TV, and it was such a fun adventure! It felt like National Treasure meets Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade—full of mystery, hidden clues, and a treasure hunt that keeps you guessing. It’s lighthearted, pretty much family-friendly, and just the right mix of action and fun. If you’re in the mood for an entertaining movie night, this one’s worth adding to your watchlist!  As I look back on this week, I’m just feeling so thankful—for birthdays that turn into beautiful memories, backyard moments that remind me what matters most, and the joy of watching our grandkids experience new things for the first time. Whether it’s painting with Kinsley, laughing through our long birthday song, or getting one step closer to Wonder Junction VBS, it’s all a reminder that God fills our days with little gifts when we take the time to notice them. Thanks for catching up with me today—hope you’re finding joy in your own simple, sweet moments too!! Until next time,  • View comments • Track comments •
Free Schools Out Summer Planner
Summer break is finally here — no more school lunches to pack, no more early alarms, and a whole lot more sunshine and fun! If you’re looking for a simple (and sanity-saving!) way to keep the kids happy, busy, and organized this summer, you’re going to LOVE the School Is Out Summer Planner Bundle. It’s packed with everything you need to make this summer smooth, memorable, and full of joy for the whole family.  What’s Inside the School Is Out Summer Planner Bundle?This printable bundle has all the tools to help you plan, play, and make the most of every sunshiny day: Summer Bucket ListGet ready for endless adventure with a huge list of fun ideas! From building sandcastles and having backyard campouts to visiting splash pads and making homemade popsicles, there’s something for every mood and every kind of day.
Summer Day PlannerKeeping a loose routine during summer can be a lifesaver! This simple day planner helps you organize mornings, afternoons, and evenings — without feeling like you’re stuck to a strict schedule. Perfect for balancing fun activities, chill time, and little responsibilities too. Summer Chore ChartBecause even during summer, a little help around the house goes a long way! Track morning, afternoon, and evening chores easily with this friendly, easy-to-use chart. (And yes, you can totally add “feed the dog” and “water the plants”!) Summer Reading LogEncourage a little quiet time with a special reading log! Kids can track what they read, how long they read, and even give their books a star rating. Perfect for keeping those brains sharp while still having fun! Daily Journal PageCapture all the little moments that make summer magical. Kids can write about their day, doodle a picture, and share their favorite memory — a great keepsake to look back on when school starts again! Summer Rules ChecklistWant to keep life just a tiny bit structured? This handy checklist reminds kids (and parents!) to stay on top of healthy habits: making their beds, doing something creative, staying active, and even knocking out a fun bucket list item. June, July, and August CalendarsPlan out special outings, vacations, or low-key fun days at home with the blank summer calendars. There’s plenty of room to jot down birthdays, trips, or even “movie marathon” days.  Why You’ll Love the Summer Planner Bundle
Summer memories don’t have to be complicated or expensive — just a little bit of planning and a lot of heart. Grab Your Summer Planner Bundle Today!Ready to make this the best summer ever? Download the School Is Out Summer Planner Bundle and get started making memories that will last a lifetime.  • View comments • Track comments •
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