How to increase your Swagbucks earnings {Frugal Fridays}

So a few weeks ago I talked about the Swagbucks phenomenon. Where searching the internet earns you digital bucks.

Today, I want to share two of the many tips on how to increase your Swagbucks so that you can cash them in for free stuff.

In fact, I have two items on their way to my house that I ordered this week with Amazon gift cards that I got by cashing in my Swagbucks. I ordered a book from my 2012 book list and a CD for the girls.

If you are frustrated or you don't understand how to earn digital dollars, here are a few tips:

Reset your homepage

:: Set the Swagbucks site as your homepage on your computer so that you

are reminded to do all of your searches through the site, which will increase

your earnings.

Daily polls

:: Take the "daily polls" on the Swagbucks site to earn 1 Swagbuck every day. Hey,

that's 30 "bucks" a month for answering one question per day.

The idea here is not to spend more of your time trying to get something for free. After all, time is money. It's about doing the things that you most likely do everyday and benefiting from it. I want to be a good steward of all that God has blessed me with...time, finances, etc. Swagbucks is one way to do that.

(Side note - I earned 11 Swagbucks while searching something for this post. woot woot!)

Have you cashed in your Swagbucks lately? What are some ways you have found that have earned you the most "bucks"?

Gratitude = Joy

Isn't it true?! Those who have an attitude of gratefulness, an attitude of thankfulness or a "cup half full" type of perspective seem to light up a room?

I'm not fond of complaining. Maybe it's because I've seen the worst of the worst during my global travels. People who beg for their next meal. Orphaned children...alone and hungry wandering the streets. I'll stop there. We are all aware of the suffering and injustice in the world around us.

My point is that we have so much to be thankful for. Even in times when it seems our "world" is caving in on us...there are blessings. The breath of life, each other, the light of the sun on our faces. They go on and on.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19: 1

There are those, whom we all know and possibly have in our lives, who can find anything to complain about. Who wouldn't allow a day to pass without declaring it as "not a good day". Those who couldn't even see a silver lining with a magnifying glass. They refuse to look around and be thankful.

I use the word refuse because it is a choice. We choose thankfulness or we choose to be ungrateful.

I so desire for our children to be grateful. We teach them, train them and memorize scripture on thankfulness. Our attitude as parents will weigh so heavily on how they choose to perceive life and circumstances. Are we thankful? Do we display an attitude of gratefulness in our home? Do we respond to what God has done for us and what He has given us?

I've decided to take Ann's Voskamp's Joy Dare in which I will journal those things daily which make my heart leap a little. Moments throughout the day, God's amazing wonders, life's small joys, the many blessings that surround me....that surround each of us daily.

Give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thes. 5:18

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

Here begins my February Joy Dare:

#1... an unexpectedly warm winter day

#2... a quiet moment with my Bible and a book

#3... a little one jumping excitedly in the doorway as I come up the driveway

#4... tiny voices saying "I love you daddy" before he leaves for work

#5... the cry of a healthy, happy new baby in our home

Will you join me in this amazing challenge? What are you thankful for today, big or small?

Where's Doodle? {fourth edition}

This is our third daughter… a sweet and very compliant one, who has inherited the nickname "Doodle". She takes daily naps and goes to bed like clockwork. She enjoys most everything from riding in the car to playing with her sisters and even entertains herself for long periods of time. She is such a joy to our family!

Let’s not be mistaken, however. She is full of energy and adventure. As to keep up with her older sisters, she began walking at eight months. We were so proud and she….oh so delighted.

Since then, she has been known to climb the stairs – on the inside and outside of the staircase….GASP! She has also scaled tables, chairs, drawers, the fireplace hearth, desks – you name it. We have found her in the most inconspicuous places. Each Wednesday, I will share a glimpse of them with you in the "Where's Doodle?" segment.

This girl is on the move, which means so are we.

What's your busy toddler doing these days?

iphone apps for preschoolers

In our modern world of technology, many children are becoming "techno tots". Our children have learned how to navigate their way through their own apps on daddy's iphone. Even our two year old can show her grandparents how to play some of her games and work through the alphabet.

We have downloaded some specific apps that help them with skills they are currently learning as well as some apps just for fun. Most of the apps we have chosen are free, with a few exceptions of some that they really like.

Below are a few of their favorites:

This ABC Trace app allows them to trace letters with their finger or a special stylis for iphones/ipads.

This app is all about the basics of the alphabet, colors, numbers, etc.

This app helps them learn Spanish vocabulary. Que bueno! This is probably mommy's favorite since I am extremely passionate about the Spanish language and I am teaching them how to speak it : )

This app is a narrated version of the story of Noah's Ark. It adds images to the story as the child touches the screen. It's really cute!

This one is just for fun. The girls love to mix, bake and decorate cupcakes with this app.

This is another fun app. By touching the screen, they can dress the princesses and rearrange their outfits. They can even add their own face to the image.

Baby girl

You really are sugar "n" spice. Our littlest princess... you are three months today. Just like with your sisters, it seems like yesterday. The time goes so quickly. I just want to bottle it up. I want to catch it and hold it and savor every moment.

I cannot seem to hold you or kiss your little face enough. When I see you smile and when I hear you "talking", my heart melts in a puddle on the floor.

I look into your small bright eyes and wonder who you will be. What will you be like?

I pray. I pray for you and who you will become. I pray for us. I pray that we will guide you and love you like we should. That we will point you to Him and you will run to Him with open arms.

We are so excited that you have joined us on this journey of life.

Happy three months little one.

Nature's decor {this and that}

I am a lover of nature. Our Heavenly Father is the best artist! My favorite things to look at are the stars, rainbows, the moon, flowers and bodies of water.....all things natural. Aren't they amazing?!?

One day recently, I was looking out the window and spotted these little "green guys" hanging in a tree outside. I thought they would be so fun to decorate with.

They are hedgeapples and they were fun to create with.

Anyway, that's it! Just had to share.

(Another great aspect - they were free! )

Where's Doodle? {Third edition}

This is our third daughter… a sweet and very compliant one, who has inherited the nickname "Doodle". She takes daily naps and goes to bed like clockwork. She enjoys most everything from riding in the car to playing with her sisters and even entertains herself for long periods of time. She is such a joy to our family!

Let’s not be mistaken, however. She is full of energy and adventure. As to keep up with her older sisters, she began walking at eight months. We were so proud and she….oh so delighted.

Since then, she has been known to climb the stairs – on the inside and outside of the staircase….GASP! She has also scaled tables, chairs, drawers, the fireplace hearth, desks – you name it. We have found her in the most inconspicuous places. Each Wednesday, I will share a glimpse of them with you in the "Where's Doodle?" segment.

This girl is on the move, which means so are we.

What's your busy toddler doing these days?