Christmas

What is Christmas about? Besides the obvious answers here, i think that one of the most important things is Family. Being together.

Jim and I have had a rough year when it comes to jobs and money and it has really changed something in me. I've seen some true colors come out this year, not only in me but others. We apologize that we can't get people gifts this year, We really do. Jim and I have always loved going all out every year and watching people open things that we worked really hard at picking out for them. That's one our favorite parts. But this year we can't do that. I've decided to make fun gift baskets for everyone with some yummy foods and what nots, but that's all we can do this year. I've been thinking about this and all that keeps coming into my head when i pray every night is: Family. Just being together. Christmas shouldn't just be about presents, it should be about being toegther, right? I strive to teach my kids the real meaning of Christmas. I told Paige that it's ok that we make these baskets instead of expensive gifts because we're spending more time as a family putting them together. We're putting lots of love into them. I hope you can all understand this year. I hope that us just being with you will be enough this year.

Black Friday

I did Black Friday!
I do it every year but every year i just go to Joanns. This year i went to Walmart at 3:45 and stood there till 5:00.As i was sititng there with a very big variety of people there were a few things that made me think of this song from the fresh prince of bel air,

" Sittin' in the basement, ridin on a tricycle, girl getting in my nerves.
Goin' out of my mind, I thought she was fine, don't know if her body is her's. "
(my family might be the only one's that get that reference, just trust me..it fits)

I really wanted to get a Fur real pup for Samantha, so i found it and stood there for over an hour. I was right up there almost with my nose to the pups, when right at 5 a woman snuck in right next to me and when they yelled that we could tear off the wrapping and get to our stuff she threw her elbow out and rammed me in the chest pushing me back a step. I stood there for a second in shock when all of a sudden a woman i had been talking to all morning, who was standing on the other side, yelled "Heather, i grabbed you one!" and threw the pup over the pile to me. How funny is that?! Needless to say, i took it and ran. I also grabbed a couple barbie's and a playdo set and then got out of there.
I wasn't done yet though. I decided to go over to meijer. They had cleared out of 2 things i really wanted but was able to get Sammy 2 things i did want to get her. Got in, got out.
Not done yet..
Joann's. I was thinking i would run over there and get in and stand in a fabric cutting line for an hour, but turns out, it wasn't open yet and i was the 3rd person in line. I did have to stand in line for 30 minutes, but while i stood out there looking in the windows, i scoped out my plan of attack and got in, got my fabrics, got my batting and then power walked to the cutting area, where i was the 2nd perosn in line. Whoo hooo! In and out. I was done with all my shopping by 6:15!
Success.

I got the etsy blues

why can't i seem to sell anything? I have an Etsy shop (avacadomonkey.etsy.com) and have tried selling things on ebay and have not had much luck. I have sold 1 thing on ebay. A pair of Michael Jordan baby shoes. I went to a Mom2Mom sale and tried to sell things. Nada. Do I have something that repels people from me? Am i doing something wrong? I think to myself, "I make things that people will want to buy. At least things that i would want to buy for my kids". But they arn't buying. If anyone has any suggestions of things that i can do differently, or to promote my etsy shop, please let me know. I am trying so hard to make some extra money right now. Let me know what you've got.

Letters

Paige and I were thinking the other day about what a good idea it would be to write letters to each other now and then give them to each other in 15 years. We just started doing them. I think we'll start with Paige's to her siblings for now. She started one for Samantha already and it started like this:

Dear Samantha,

Right now you have a poopy diaper and daddy's changing it. I think you're pretty. But stinky. I love you.

How cute is that! I think Sammy will love to read that when she's 16,don't you?

Ebay Madness

All week i've been trying to bid and win some Little Einstein and Barbie movies for the kids for Christmas. We all know I'm a bargain hunter.( it's a nicer way of saying I'm cheap.) I thought Ebay would be great, but MAN! People are crazy bidders.

Bid: 0.99

outbid

Bid:1.50

outbid

bid:3.50

won

nope outbid

bid:5.50

won

2 days later outbid

man..

do i go any higher..shipping is 3.00..I'm a "bargain hunter" and that ain't no bargain.

I did however get a barbie movie for 4.50 with shipping. One success. So far. I'll get back to you at the end of the week and let you know what i end up with.

Things that make you happy

I need people to email me some blessings they have, by that i mean things that make you happy. Write as many as you like, but please do it soon. I need them. Thanks

New Cute pictures of Kids

I asked Katherine to take some pictures of the kids for Christmas pictures. She got some really good ones. Here are a couple of the silly ones. There were a lot of those since the kids were having a really hard time being serious. I think they all turned out really well though.

Rose

I don't know if any of you know this, but the lady that owned our house before us, fell down the stairs and broke her neck and layed there for 3 days till someone found her. Creapy huh? We didn't find this out till 2 months after moving in. I didn't go downstairs for about a year. Just kidding, but i still get scared sometimes. Or i should say i freak myself out. I digress...here's my story:
It's late at night, Samantha and i are in the basement sitting on the couch watching tv. She leans across me and just stares at the bottom of the stairs. She stares for about 30 seconds and then starts smiling. Not the freakiest part yet. Although i did have goose bumps at the part. Get this: She starts waving.... At the stairs. Smiling and waving. I freaked. I said calmly "Samantha.........are you waving at Rose? " She nods..i grab her and run...as fast as i can...squeling. I went a told jim and he said it's kind of nice to think she's there watching over the kids. I hope he's right.