Frugal Coupon Living Giveaway

Another amazing giveaway from Frugal Coupon Living! This one is for a chance to win a $100 gift card from ShopatHome. There are tons of stores that you could choose to shop at from their site - including Kohl's, Old Navy, and Amazon. Here's hoping - this would really help out with Christmas gifts or getting a few things before Amy's arrival.

Here's the link to the giveaway:
http://www.frugalcouponliving.com/2009/12/02/100-gift-card-giveaway/

Thanksgiving Pictures

Here are some pictures from our wonderful Thanksgiving. We went to Tanner's grandmother's home in Quanah on Thursday for lunch, had dinner back in Vernon with my family, and then went to Bangs on Saturday for lunch with my dad's side. Maddie enjoyed all the food - she ate everything right along with the rest of us! We played a little football, Maddie tried pecans right out of the shell for the first time, and had a seriously good time with her cousin, Jordyn. They took a walk together that appeared to be full of serious, secret talking! I love to watch them together, as they are about the same number of months apart that Maddie and Amy will be. Can't wait to watch the sisterly love develop into an awesome friendship! Hope everyone had a nice long weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. Thought I should make a list of the things I'm thankful for.

1. So thankful that Jesus loves me and forgives me, even though I will never deserve it. I was listening to a song on KLOVE two days ago, one that I've heard a hundred times - Amazing Love. Suddenly, it just hit me that I have absolutely no place holding grudges or being unforgiving of anyone. I have been taught this and know it in my head, but in this moment, it truly went to my heart. What a gracious God we serve! He forgives us, even though we continue to sin against Him. I am thankful too, that He chose such a gentle way to teach me that. Amazing Love!

2. I am beyond grateful for my hard-working, kind-hearted, hilarious husband! Tanner is the love of my life, and I am excited at the work that God is doing in our marriage. 5 years have gone by, and I can't wait to walk with him through however many more we will be given together! Thank you, God, for making Tanner different from me, and help me to embrace those differences and be the wife that he needs.

3. I am so very thankful for the amazing, healthy family God has blessed me with. Love that we live close to our parents - and that my children get to see their grandparents every day if they want to! Thankful that God allowed me to be born into the home I was given, with irreplaceable siblings and loving parents who taught me about Jesus! I can not say enough about Miss Maddie and what a blessing she is to our family. And, I can't wait to meet Amy and watch the added joy she will bring!

4. I am thankful for my friends. I've always joked that I don't make a very good friend, and that hasn't changed. So, I'm grateful for friends who love me anyway and make the extra effort that I so often neglect to make!

5. Thank you, God, for the food and shelter you continue to provide me. Not only are my daily needs consistently met, but I have been so blessed with much more than I need. I pray that I not take these things for granted, and that I am continually aware of God's blessings in my life.

6. I am so thankful for the wonderful church that we attend. Thankful for those who stand up and serve, and thankful for the difference that the members of Calvary make in our daily lives.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and yours! Hope you feel as blessed as I do this holiday season.

I WON!!!

I can't believe it! I actually won the Veggie Tales DVD from Frugal Coupon Living! I have the most rotten luck - I never win anything - so, I am thrilled to have won this movie for Miss Maddie. She loves her "Veggies," and I can't wait to watch this with her. Pretty sure it will help all of us get into the spirit of Christmas and remember the real meaning in giving.

Frugal Coupon Living Giveaway

Here is another great giveaway opportunity from Frugal Coupon Living. This one is for a Pampered Chef Cookie Press. Last year was Maddie's first Christmas, and I decided we would start a tradition of baking cookies together on Christmas Eve. So, being the amazing "Martha Stewart" that I am, I totally broke out the Pillsbury break n' bake cookies last year. I would love this press so that we could actually bake some real cookies this year (and cute ones to boot!) Cross your fingers for me!



Here's the link to the giveaway:

http://www.frugalcouponliving.com/2009/11/23/santas-cookies-giveaway-and-review/comment-page-1/#comment-10812

Sliding

I believe a trip to the park is in order today. Maddie has a huge board book with Disney characters in it. She made herself a makeshift slide on the couch today and continued to slide down the book yelling, "Weeeee!" I think she's trying to tell me something! It's nice and sunny out today, so we'll go to the park with Nina after lunch and let her slide on a real slide. Pictures to come...

Update: What a beautiful day! We had a great time with Nina at the park, and Maddie got to slide all she wanted. It was a gorgeous afternoon and park days always bring on great naps!

Fall Pictures

Here are some pictures of Maddie from the Pumpkin Patch and Halloween. While she was still too little to go trick-or-treating, we did make a few stops at the grandparents' homes, and Maddie loved telling us that chicks say, "peep, peep, peep."