I  discovered the meaning of troubleshooting the other day.

For hours, I had been knee-deep in printer cords and computer cables, battling a broken modem and a customer service rep, all while trying to print 500 labels with an offline printer.

I was in trouble and I wanted to shoot something.

I’ll be honest: I don’t handle moments like these well. I get frustrated, irritable and whiny.

That’s about the time my  husband walked thru the door. He took one look at the mess (me, not the technology) and went to work.

In less the thirty minutes, he had our Internet back up and everything working perfectly. When he handed me the neat pile of printed labels, I hugged him deeply.

I’m not gonna lie: I was very attracted to him.

He came in from work exhausted from a long day. But he served me because he loves me. It was the single most sexiest moment of the week.

And I simply returned the favor by telling him so. Respecting our hubbies enough to tell them when they bless us is only gonna make him want to love you more.

Today, in honor of Love & Respect, one winner will receive a Union28 Valentine’s package that includes:

• Women’s “I Respect My Husband” Tee (Fitted or Non-fitted Short Sleeve or Fitted Long Sleeve) pictured above
• Men’s “I Love My Wife” Tee (V-neck or Crew Neck)
• 4-pack of “You Rock” Love Notes (blank inside)

Union28 would also like to give a Valentine’s gift to Mercy House: Union28 will give 10% of the sales from all orders received from the WeAreThatFamily community between Thursday, FEB 2 & Saturday, FEB 8^th – simply mention “Mercy House” in the comments area during checkout.

To be entered, tell me how you show your spouse love and/or respect.

Get 15% off your order today with this coupon code: U28TFK15

P.S. what’s your favorite shirt??

UPDATED with WINNER – Congratulations to Shaunta (comment 77)

I Respect Him, He Loves Me {Giveaway} is a post from: We are THAT Family

Even when I was a teenager, I would take the $20 my Dad would give me for clothes, go to Goodwill and buy several outfits instead of one at the mall. I was an odd child.

Then I became a youth pastor’s wife and lived on love the first eight years of marriage. I decorated my house from clearance items on the Target end caps.

The past few years, I’ve passed my bargain shopping love down to my kids, my oldest especially. She stretches her dollar and likes to buy on sale. Even though I could pay more for some things, it’s not my preference.

But I’m learning there’s a cost to being frugal.

A few years ago, I wouldn’t have thought twice about the words child labor or fair trade.

And now I can’t stop thinking about the image of a skinny, scared, 8 year old boy chained to a chair and a sewing machine.

Making clothes I like to buy cheap.

Now, I’m not saying that every good deal translates into a worker across the globe losing their dignity. I just think we need to be aware that some deals are too good to be fair.

I’m getting an education about fair trade. I’m dipping my feet into the secret world as I try and make sure our products at Mercy House meet the standards and are even fair trade certified.

What is fair trade? It’s shopping fair, really…providing fair, decent wages for the workers who make the items we like to buy.

I have a long way to go. But I think part of the change is awareness. Next, it’s asking these questions:

• Why is this item so cheap? Is it an end-of-the-season clearance (yay!) or was it made in a sweat shop?
• Can I buy something similar (like a gift) while also supporting a life in another county?
• Why not buy less for more? Maybe it’s worth paying a bit more for something I know is fair trade.
• Educate yourself with information like this from Behind the Label (an inside look into the apparel industry). There are links to retailers who are conscientious about their workers. Sadly, t’s not a long list. This list of brands that have been accused of exploiting workers is startling.

I’m learning so much and I’m the first to admit that I have no idea where many of the items in my home or closets come from.  But I’m trying to educate myself. The main thing is supporting the creative artists in third world countries with a fair amount of money… even when it cost more than buying items cheaply.

Part of this is educating my children…my daughter and I are on a hunt for a fair trade book bag for school. Because it feels good to shop fair and empower someone on the other side of the world.

And now that I know the names and faces and have a relationship with artisans who make fair trade items, I might not be so frugal after all.

When It Cost to Be Frugal is a post from: We are THAT Family

Hand-stamped silver.

Just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?

It’s so personal. Meaningful.

The initials of two lovers given a second chance, the name of your miracle baby, the letters written on your heart, worn around your neck.

By the way, your mom called and she told me really liked these from La Bella Jewels:

Today, I’m giving away TWO $50 gift certificates.

Please visit this lovely shop (and long-time sponsor) and leave a comment telling me your favorite piece of silver.

Also, LaBella Jewels is offering a 10% discount and free shipping for WATF readers, with code: MOM2011

(Deadline for to receive by Mother’s Day is April 27th)

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

♥La Bella Jewels {Giveaway}♥ is a post from: We are THAT Family

Who+What{LOGOS} is made up of a small group of experienced graphic designers obsessed with typography. Formal, casual, contemporary, urban, fun, classic–whatever your style, Who+What{LOGOS} generates creative personal logos that are truly custom-created especially for you, to do with it what makes you happy. Use your new custom logo to print labels, make a vinyl wall cling, or personalize a coffee mug. Let Who+What{LOGOS} help you get started.

To bid on the item in this post, please leave a comment with your bid amount. Please leave a current email address in case you have the final bid. Winners will be announced on Jan. 19th and payment can be made via Paypal or by check. All bids close by 10pm CST on Jan. 18. There is no minimum bid.

Benefit Day: Who+What {LOGOS} is a post from: We are THAT Family

My tip for an empty shoebox: fill it with toys, toothpaste, and tiny things and give it to a child for Christmas!

It’s easy! Follow these simple steps:

HOW TO PACK A SHOE BOX (from Operation Christmas Child)

1. GATHER A SHOEBOX & PRINT THESE INSTRUCTIONS AND LABELS

Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

2. BOY OR GIRL?

Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label by downloading the artwork to the right. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

3. FILL WITH GIFTS

Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Use the gift ideas provided on the bottom of this page.

4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION

Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using our EZGIVE option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.

5. DROP OFF

Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at the Collection Center nearest youduring our collection week November 15 – 22.

Operation Christmas Child delivers thousands and thousands of filled shoeboxes at Christmas to underprivileged children all over the world.

It’s a wonderful idea to do with your children! It works for us!

Have you ever participated?

WFMW: A Shoebox Tip is a post from: We are THAT Family

My long time sponsor and friend, LaBella Jewels makes stunning creations!

A couple of my favorites:

See? I told you. I’m right about these things. One of the number one Google searches that leads people to my blog day -after-day is hand stamped jewelry. Even GOOGLE agrees that I know good stuff when I see it.

LaBella Jewels is offering TWO $40 gift certificates to TWO readers today! Click over to LaBella Jewels. Tell me what you’d love to wear or give.

Please note: the last day for ordering for guaranteed Christmas delivery will be November 24.

Did I just use the word Christmas in a post?

Where does the time go?

Someone make it stop.

Lovely LaBella Jewels {Giveaway} is a post from: We are THAT Family

La Bella Jewels has been one of my longest sponsors. She made a lovely necklace to memorialize my daughter’s water baptism and created a one-of-a-kind necklace for the work of Amazima (Kisses from Katie). My mom bought this one from her with her grandchildren’s names.

Her work is beautiful:What do you like?

Please let me know and that will be your entry. Two winners will be chosen from the comments to win a $50 gift certificate!

This giveaway ends Thursday.

*Shop early for the holidays because Mrs. LaBella is closing shop from November to January to welcome her new baby bundle.

The Lovely LaBella Jewels {Giveaway} is a post from: We are THAT Family

I don’t know about y’all, but by the time dinner rolls around at my house in my part of Texas, it is hot outside. Like a million degrees, give or take one or two. The last thing I want to do, is bake at 350 (no offense, Bridget).

Here’s what we’ve been doing: bulk grilling.

I marinated a couple of pounds, seasoned another pound and put barbeque sauce on a couple of pounds. I grilled them (or my hubby did to be exact) and we just used the grilled meat in different recipes all week.

It works for me!

View WFMW guidelines here.

WFMW: Bulk Grilling is a post from: We are THAT Family