When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

If I have learned anything about being a mother, I think the above quote is so true.  I can remember before having my son that I was pretty consumed with myself and what I wanted in life.  It was only after getting settled in when we brought him home from the hospital that I realized that my heart would forever go walking outside by body, and that almost every waking thought would be consumed with thoughts of my son…if he was hungry, warm enough, tired.  As he has grown, even when he is not with me I wonder how his day is going at school and if he is enjoying himself.  I’m sure the older he gets, these thoughts will evolve, but they will always be present in my mind.

If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been. ~Robert Brault,

One of my fervent prayers is that I make the most of the privilege of being my son’s mother.  It boggles my mind all the time that the Lord saw me and my laundry list of imperfections, yet he still thought that I was the very best person for raising this precious little boy.  Me. Some might argue that it’s nothing but simple biology, but I don’t see it that way.  And I firmly believe that even if biology itself doesn’t bring you to your child, that child was divinely chosen for you.

Mother – that was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and worries. ~T. DeWitt Talmage

This Mother’s Day, not only am I so grateful for my own son, but I am also very blessed to still have my own mother with me.  She raised me up to be a Christian (although, I’m a very imperfect one), she was always there for me in the most important of ways, and she modeled the love and care I have for my own son.  In so many big and small ways, she still proves daily that even though I am an adult, her heart for me still goes walking outside of her own body.

This week I have been bombarded on social media outlets, television, and radio about what moms are supposed to want this Mother’ Day….jewelry, flowers, pampering.  I’ll admit I sometimes find myself getting caught up in that, thinking I deserve to be pampered and doted upon on this day.  It’s only when I remember the four years of trying to become a mother and feeling as if I would never have a child that I realize that today isn’t about what material things the world thinks I need to feel loved on this day.  I feel my son’s love every day, when he still crawls into my lap at seven years old and hugs me tight…when he tells me he loves me out of the blue, when he brings me his teddy bear to sleep by me when I am taking a nap because he wants me to feel as safe and secure as I try to make him feel.  Those small things are something that cannot be store-bought and far more precious than jewels.

What do you want for Mother’s Day?

Today, I want to count my blessings for my own son, for my mother, for my grandmother, for my cousin who is finally about to become a mother after wanting to be one for so long.  Today, I remember all of those who miss their own mothers and pray that those precious memories will comfort them.  Today, I pray for my friends who are single mothers, that they feel the Lord carrying them as they shoulder some very big responsibilities by themselves.  I pray for some friends who have yet to become mothers who desperately want to be one, as I know what a hopeless feeling that can be.  I’m also grateful for “other mothers”, those women who have come into my life and loved me like a mother.

Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed. ~Linda Wooten

Apparently, all I do is lounge near the pool and nap all day.  I certainly don’t cook.  Dad does that, as you can see.  But I am the best mom ever because I let my little darling nap *with* me.  And somewhere, amongst all that hard work that it takes to sleep and play in the pool, I also manage to squeeze in a little time each day to work in my library. *snort*

I can only imagine what his teacher thinks now.

Thrifty Momma Ramblings is turning 4 years old on May 12th! I’m throwing a party so please help me celebrate! I am giving away $250 CASH through paypal! Who doesn’t need more money? This will be open to all 18 or older world wide! I didn’t want to exclude any of my wonderful fans. My party starts on May 9th 8PM CST and ends on May 20th at 11PM CST! There will be 4 winners:

• Grand Prize: $100 Cash
• 2nd Prize: $75 Cash
• 3rd Prize: $50 Cash
• 4th Prize: $25 Cash

These great bloggers have teamed up with me to help celebrate my birthday!

Capri’s Coupons

Central Florida Cakes

Use the rafflecopter to enter this great giveaway. To get the 25 points for Facebook then you have to like all the pages. Same for Twitter. There are only 9-10 links on each page so not much. I made it very easy for everyone. Thank you to all my great fans for following, reading, and visiting me. I hope you to continue to visit as I am now finished with school for the summer and will have lots of great deals, freebies, and giveaways to share! All the rules are listed on the rafflecopter.
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I came home yesterday evening and opened the local newspaper and read that Maurice Sendak, beloved children’s author, had passed away.  I was sad to read this, because Where The Wild Things Are is one of my son’s very favorite books and one I will always have fond memories of reading to him when he was smaller. 

I have a Scholastic DVD of Maurice Sendak’s books that I often show my students after we read a few of his books.  In the Night Kitchen always brings plenty of giggles, and if you watch the video, you will see why. 

Sendak definitely had his own unique style of writing and illustrating, and I think that’s why his books are favorites with just about every kid.  They’re delightfully different, with a sense of humor you normally don’t find in children’s books.

“Certainly we want to protect our children from new and painful experiences that are beyond their emotional comprehension and that intensify anxiety; and to a point we can prevent premature exposure to such experiences. That is obvious. But what is just as obvious — and what is too often overlooked — is the fact that from their earliest years children live on familiar terms with disrupting emotions, fear and anxiety are an intrinsic part of their everyday lives, they continually cope with frustrations as best they can. And it is through fantasy that children achieve catharsis. It is the best means they have for taming Wild Things.”

~Sendak

Since my students and I have been busy with state testing, I haven’t had a chance to share the news with them. I had planned to show them this DVD next week, so we will definitely be remembering Maurice Sendak and all of his wonderful books.

via Harry Bliss

Finish the entries in one sitting or bookmark this site and come back tomorrow. Remember, the higher number of entries you complete, the higher the chance of winning. Good luck!

This event would not become possible without the help and support of these co-hosts: Bay Area Mommy, Zoe’s Printable Coupons, Samut-Sari, Wrap with Jolene, Mamal Diane and Stiletto Files.

The giveaway will be open worldwide. The rafflecopter widget will be closed on May 30, 2012 (11:59 PM).

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In honor of Children’s Book Week, I am partcipating in a book hop giveaway hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.  If you are looking to enter giveaways for some amazing children and Young Adult books, you will definitely want to check that link out for out  for some fabulous giveaways this week!

For my giveaway, I am offering 2 of my very favorite children’s books in paperback form.

From Good Reads:

Hondo the dog has a fun day at the beach while Fabian the cat stays home.

” Wake up, Hondo. Time to go!”
Hondo will have an adventure.
Fabian will stay home.

A dog named Hondo and his friend Fred are going to the beach for a day of excitement. Fabian the cat is left behind at home to play with the baby. Who will cause more trouble? And who will have more fun?

From Good Reads:

Simon Rodia didn’t have any architectural training or any helpers, but he did have a dream. Over the course of 30 years his neighbors saw that dream slowly but magnificently rising over his backyard. Here is the true story of how one man singlehandedly built three towering monuments, right in the middle of a poor Los Angeles neighborhood. Full color.

TO ENTER:

Just fill in the Rafflecopter below. You can do as many entries as you like. Giveaway ends May 13, 2012 at 12:01 AM Central.

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Children’s Book Week kicks off today and I am so excited about the great ideas to celebrate this occasion with my students.  Children’s Book Week started in 1919 and is the longest running literacy initiative in the country. 

In my library, we will be reading books by celebrated children’s authors and using some of the great ideas from the digital toolkit from the website.  There are games, bookmarks, story starters, and so much more.

If you happen to live near a big city, there are many official events taking place this week to celebrate Children’s Book Week, as well many smaller local events.  Even if you can’t attend one of these, some events will be online with the opportunity to win some great prizes!

So, gather up the kids, hit up your local library or bookstore and stock up on some great children’s books.  Happy reading!

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CouponTrade.com is your new source for discount gift cards and NAME brand coupon codes. Now you can combine these discounts in ONE place to save more than ever before, or claim what’s yours and SELL your unwanted gift cards too!

Entry is simple! Just fill out the Rafflecopter Form Below!

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My mom is definitely my hero.  I can’t think of any other person who has stood by me from the very beginning and continues to encourage and help me grow into a better person to this day.  I am so blessed to have her, and I hope each and every one of you reading this has a wonderful mom or another strong woman in your life (I call these “other mothers”) to lift you up.

Throughout the month of May, in recognition of moms who do extraordinary things everyday for their families and communities, Dollar General is teaming up with Procter & Gamble to honor moms – the true Every Day Heroes who have made sacrifices for their families and their communities. To celebrate moms, Dollar General is inviting customers to upload videos describing why their moms are “Every Day Heroes.” Videos can be submitted and viewed at www.dollargeneral.com/everydayheroes. 

GIVEAWAY

Dollar General and Procter & Gamble have teamed up to offer one lucky reader of Read. Write. Mom! a Mother’s Day Prize Pack.  To enter, simply fill in the Rafflecopter form below.  You can do as many entries as you like!  Giveaway ends May 14, 2012 at 12:01 A.M.

This prize pack includes:

Tide® Pods, Febreze® Auto Air Freshener, Always® Radiant, Tampax® Radiant, Secret® Coco Butter Clear Gel, Old Spice® Champion Deodorant and a Dollar General chip clip.

Dollar General and P&G provided me with a prize pack as a thank you for facilitating this giveaway and one to give away.  No other compensation was received.

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Just in time for summer, ALDI has released its 2012 summer seasonal catalog online and in stores.

With delicious recipes, outdoor patio furniture and ideas for family activities – the ALDI summer catalog offers all the essentials you need for a successful season at great prices.

Known for its premium exclusive brands, ALDI offers more than 1,400 of the most frequently purchased grocery items for up to 50 percent less* than traditional supermarkets. Customers can get all the essentials for less, including everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to a wide selection of grilling meats and award-winning wines, to outdoor patio furniture, plants, flowers and convenient camping basics to make summer a success. Stores will also carry an additional line-up of more than 130 seasonal items at unbeatable prices now through August.

Not sure if you live near an ALDI store?  Check out this helpful store locater to find one near you.

*Based upon a price comparison of comparable products sold at leading national retail grocery stores

GIVEAWAY

I have been generously given (2) $25 ALDI Gift Certificates to share with 2 lucky readers! (Winners receive 1 gift certificate each)

Simply complete the Rafflecopter form below. Do as many or as few entries as you like! Giveaway ends at 12:01 A.M. on May 14, 2012.

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I received 2 gift certificates to give to 2 winners on my blog. No other compensation was received.