Canton Shopping Trip

This past Thursday the weather forecast predicted 90% rain!  It was also the first day for Canton Trade Days this month.  And, Friday and Saturday, the other Canton days, were supposed to be COLD!  My mom and I had been planning to go to Canton this month and couldn't wait for this day to arrive.  We hadn't been since October and we were feeling deprived and ready for some shopping fun!!!  :-)  We continued to watch the weather report just hoping for a change.  Unfortunately, nothing changed.  We decided to skip Canton this month and try again for next month.  That was until I woke up Thursday morning and there was no rain in site!  Yes, there were plenty of clouds, but it wasn't raining!  We can handle clouds, but rain is another story.  For those who don't know, Canton is an outside shopping wonderland.  Vendors from all over the country come and bring their fabulous goods!  There are many pavillions that house most of the vendors, but getting from pavillion to pavillion can be tough if it's raining.  Anyway, back to my story... after I realized it wasn't raining, I immediately called my mom to discuss the situation.  After a quick chat we knew what we had to do....  GO!!!  We got ready, got the kids dressed and we headed out!!!

We got to Canton around 11:00am and couldn't believe the crowds.... NOBODY was there!  It was such a ghost town!  The vendors were there, but shoppers were scarce!!!  WOO-HOO!!!  FUN, FUN, FUN!!!  I guess we weren't the only ones scared of the rainy forecast!  We shopped until 2:30 when some rain started and then made our way to The Canton Marketplace, an indoor shopping center filled with more great shops.  We had a blast!!  I got a picture frame, metal cross wall collage, and a metal Christmas decoration for half price.  I don't have pictures of anything except this one of the kids.  The kids were great, by the way!  Mallory LOVES to go to Canton.  And, Jack rode around in his stroller and slept part of the time. 

Here are the kids as we're getting ready to leave the Canton grounds.  We let Jack stretch his legs and walk around for a little bit.  You can see how empty the place is.  This pavillion is usually packed full of people, strollers, carts, and kids!  All in all, the bad, rainy weather held off and we had a really fun day!!!

Free Pampers Diapers 3-pack!

Go HERE to get a free sample of Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max in your choice of size 3, 4 or 5. All you have to do is sign-in to P&G Everyday Solutions, or register if you are new. You will get a three-pack of diapers to try and if your sample includes this Team USA diaper then you win a one-year supply of Pampers Cruisers!

You'll also have the option to request a Prilosec OTC sample and coupons by mail for Tide, Olay Body Wash, and Iams pet food.

YEA for free stuff!!!!!  :-)

Out-of-Season Deer Hunting

Yesterday, Brad did a little deer hunting.  Yes, deer season is definitely over for the year, but he killed a deer anyway.  He didn't use any bullets or a gun.  This time he used his TRUCK!  Yep!  That's right!  He hit a deer going 60 mph in his truck!!!  He had to drive to Huntsville for work yesterday.  To get to Huntsville by 6:45am, he had to leave home by 3:45am!!!  There's an area of the highway that's known for deer spottings, so fortunately, he was well aware of his surroundings.  Around 5:30am, as he drove through the dark, a deer darted out onto the road!  Brad saw it coming, but had no time to avoid it.  I'm so thankful he didn't try to swerve to miss it.  He'd have hit a tree for sure!  The deer was coming full force out of the woods, but when it hit the pavement, it's legs slipped and it lost it's footing.  Instead of standing up and smashing onto Brad's hood and windshield, it's body slipped lower and was hit by the bumper and thrown to the opposite side of the road.  Brad's truck took a beating - busted bumper covered in blood, broken blinker light and fog lights - but he didn't suffer a scratch.  Thank you, Lord, for protecting Brad and watching over him yesterday!!!!  Things could have been A LOT worse!!!  He was truly blessed!!!!

Big News!!!

I got some BIG news today!!!!  I am SO excited!!! Without totally spoiling the surprise, let's just say that IF I was asked to do a giveaway from a HUGE company and IF I was given the choice as to which product to give away, what kind of products would ya'll, my WONDERFUL readers, be interested in WINNING?!?!?

Children's toys?  Games?  Baby items?  Cookware?  Bakeware?  Small appliances? Home Decor?  Anything else???
Let me hear from you!!  Is there something you'd love to have for FREE?!?!?  Please comment below and help me out!  Then, be watching for an exciting post with a lot more details!!!!  :-)

Decorating with Scripture

I told you in my last post that I enjoy having my home filled with scripture and am always looking for ways to incorporate God's Word into my daily life.  I love walking into each room and having reminders of God's love, grace, and blessings.  Here are a few of the things I have in my home that point me to Him.

About 9 years ago, my mother made this quilt for me.  I had been involved in a Bible study called "Lord, I  Want To Know You" by Kay Arthur.  The book teaches about many of the names of God and how they apply to your life today.  I learned about God being my Jehovah Rapha - the healing God and about God as my provider - Jehovah Jireh.  Each name spoke to me so much and revealed so much to me about God and His desire to be all these things just for me.  It was truly incredible.  If you haven't read it, do so!

Anyway, Mama decided to surprise me and make this quilt for me.  Each name of God is portrayed with an image absolutely perfect for it.  This was a labor of love and I TREASURE it!!!  I have it hanging in my dining room.  It's one of the first things you see when you walk into my house.  Here's a view that's a little closer so you can see the details....

I have it hung with big tassels and cording that match the gold in the quilt.

Another place I have scripture is on a pillow that my mom made for me for Christmas last year.  I call it my scripture pillow.  I have it sitting in the rocking chair in my living room.

Each scripture that is sewn onto the pillow is one of my favorites!  Mama made my sister and sister-in-laws one of these, too, and used different scriptures for each one of us.  Isn't it beautiful?!?!?  Here's a closeup...

My guest bathroom is done in black, red, and silver.  I have one entire wall covered in silver crosses.

My shower curtain is black and look at these fun cross shower curtain hooks I found at Canton!

In my master bedroom, I have displayed my wedding dress next to a wedding memories quilt my mother made me as a wedding gift.  The quilt was the very first one she ever did and I am so proud of it.  Each square has a memory from our engagement and wedding.  It has the date and place where we were engaged, each song that was sung at our wedding, our favorite scriptures, the minister, soloist, and location of our first home.  So special!!!

Here's a closeup of the fabric and a few of the squares.

My nanny cross-stitched our wedding vows and had them framed for me as a wedding gift.  I have this sitting next to our unity candle on a table in my bedroom.

In my kitchen, I have another cross-stitched picture my nanny made for me when Brad and I moved into our first home.  It's the Fruit of the Spirit.

These cross-stitched pictures are priceless to me.  My Nanny is in heaven now, so these are precious reminders of how much she loved me and of her love for God.

My mom and I made these cross plaques for Christmas gifts this year.  I have this one in my kitchen.

And on my plant stand in my office, I have this wonderful reminder from Phillippians 4:8.

"Whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely... think on these things."

And finally, here's another shot of our fireplace.  This is the view from our entry hall.  I have a tall, metal cross on top of our television that is very evident when watching tv.

Those are a few of the things I have displayed in my home.  As you can tell, the handmade items are my favorite and are the most special to me.  I'll share more photos of my home later.  I absolutely LOVE decorating!!  Thanks for stopping by to look.  I'd love to hear from you.  :-)

My Home

Lately I have been motivated and convicted that my home should reflect God's love and be an inspiration to all who enter it.  I want my home to be inviting and warm.  A place where my family feels loved, nurtured, and cared for.  I've heard it said that your home should be a sanctuary for your soul.  It's wonderful to be surrounded by God's Word and be reminded of His grace.  When I found this scripture, I knew it was going to be the focal point of my living room...

It fits perfectly on our fireplace!

How important to praise God and thank Him for our many blessings?!  Every day as I walk through this room, I notice this scripture and so often will lift up a prayer of thanksgiving for all the Lord has done for me. 

I have other places in my home that draw me to Him and help me focus on Him.  Many, many of those things are pillows, quilts, and special handmade gifts from my mom.  I'll be sharing those soon.  Until then, do you have things in your home that encourage you in your daily walk?  I'd love to hear your ideas and get inspired!

Ladybug Outfit for Mallory - EDITED! :-)

***EDITED - picture of Mallory "modelling" her outfit below and new baby news!!**

It's way after midnight, but I got on a roll with my sewing tonight and couldn't stop!!!  When I get in my sewing mood, you better not get in the way!  HA!!  I wanted so badly to finish the whole outfit tonight, but my little eyes are droopy and I need to get in bed.  I got the top and bow finished, but I still need to make the pants.   Mallory LOVES  full, ruffled dresses that she can twirl in!  I love them on her, too.  I just love to see little girls in ruffles and bows!  Here's what I came up with for the top.  It will be perfect just like this for summer, but until then she has a couple of different white shirts she can wear under it.

It's a little hard to tell from the picture, but the green section has ladybugs and hearts on it!  Isn't that fun fabric?!?!?

My flash was too hot, but I think you get the idea for the bow.  It has the same little ladybugs on it that are on the green part of the top.

I plan to use the black and white polka dot fabric for the pants and add two small ruffles on the bottom out of each of the other fabrics.  I'll post the finished product as soon as it's all done.  :-)

EDITED:

This morning I watched Micah, my nephew, while my sister and her husband went to their sonogram appointment.  Mallory couldn't wait to wear the top I made, so after the late hours I stayed up working on it, I let her!  :-)

Mallory, Jack, Micah, and I strolled through the Olympic Center and watched the helicopters and cars go by.

And it wasn't long before Mommy and Daddy were back and told Micah he was going to have a little BROTHER!

So another baby boy will be here in June!  YEA!  We're all very excited!

Graco Strollers Recalled for Fingertip Amputations!

Graco has recalled 1.5 million strollers because of fingertip amputations!!  I just checked to make sure and mine is not one of them.  I am definitely going to watch the canopy part of our stroller more closely though!!!

Click here for more info....  Stroller Recall

Proverbs 16:9...

...says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."  This verse became so real to me this week.  I met someone....

on the internet...

and God intended for it to happen...

just as it did!

Isn't it amazing how God puts people in your path and sometimes you don't even realize why?  Well, this time, I know why!  Remember when I told you I had a Cricut Expression for sale?  Well, I tried umpteen different ways to sell it and was getting nowhere!  My last resort was ebay.  But, it didn't sell there either!!!  However, 1 certain person saw it on ebay and decided to bid on it.  This person also emailed me to let me know they were interested in it after the auction was over if it didn't sell.  And, when the auction ended and it hadn't reached my reserve price, I emailed this person to let them know I was ready to work with them. 

I ended up striking up a conversation with this person and during the course of our communication back and forth, I found out that this person is a Christian.  And, not only is he a Christian, he is the Worship Leader for his church in Georgia!!  We made a connection right away since I sing and am a member of my choir and praise team ministry.  He was buying this Cricut for his wife (of 27 years!) as a valentine's present!! 

Long story a little shorter, he shared a lot about what is going on in his church right now - the good and the not-so-good.  We ended up sharing scriptures and God allowed me to encourage him in his ministry!  It was SO neat to see how God worked out all the details and timing.  I am so blessed to have been able to be used by God and actually see His hand at work!

I packaged the Cricut and took it to UPS to be shipped today.  This will probably be my last time I hear from this individual, but as he said in his email to me,


"I believe that God directs every step of our lives if we let Him (Prov. 3:5-6). I think God allowed me to see your cricut machine on ebay not only for Renee’s V Day gift (that’s my wife) but so you could encourage me. I have been encouraged so much by your words. How interesting…a total stranger by physical standards but a shared kindred spirit via e-mail…that’s a God thing!!!!  Thank you, my sister in Christ. I may never meet you in person on this side of eternity but we’ll meet when we get home."

I have thanked the Lord for this wonderful opportunity to share the blessings He has given me and to be an encourager this week.  What an amzing gift.  If you happen to be reading this, say a prayer for Jeff and his church.  It would really mean a lot to me.

The Bachelor

Ok, am I the only one out there who is hooked on The Bachelor?!?!?  Every Monday night for the past 3 or 4 seasons, my mom and I have piled up the pillows on the bed and  kicked back to watch the drama unfold.  Daddy and Brad think we're totally crazy and just laugh at our fun.  We watched Jason get dumped by Dionna, then we were amazed at the end of the next season when Jason chose Melissa and then dumped her for 2nd runner-up Molly.  The following season Jillian had a chance with Jake, but he was "too perfect" - are you kidding me?!?!?  So now, we've got Jake as the bachelor. 

Aahhh, Jake!  Isn't he a cutie pie!?!?!  I just don't know if any of those girls suit him.  Usually by now we've got our favorites and are hopeful with the ones we've got chosen.  This season, ugh!  I don't know.  I was leaning towards Ali until tonight.  She's got a mouth on her that I just don't like.  Where's the sweet, down-to-earth girl I'm looking for???  I'm confident that Jake a good head on his shoulders and won't let me down.  :-)  Anybody else watching????  What's your take???  :-)

It Came!!!

Look what arrived at my front door today!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I am SOOOOOO excited!!!  I put it in Jack's room and watched the kids play while I was in the kitchen!  Then, I positioned it directly towards Jack's crib and am watching him sleep.  OH. MY. GOODNESS!!!  This is one incredible product!!!

Thank you so much, Jenny at BabyBix Blog and Summer Infant !!!!!  This is truly a blessing!!!

Hee eee is!

Hee eee is!!  This is Jack's new phrase!  I guess it's his first sentence!!!!  When I ask him where something or someone is, he looks around, finds the object or person and says, "Hee eee is!"  It's precious!!!!  Oh, I love this little angel!!!

Wii!!!

Well, we did it.  Tonight we went out and purchased a Wii.  Brad and I both need to get in shape and had discussed all the many options out there.  We debated over buying a treadmill, but I just couldn't see us finding a spot in our house for a monster of that size.  Then, we heard about some friends who were losing weight using Wii Fit.  We decided to check it out.  Brad had played games on one, but I wouldn't know a Wii if I saw one!  He had enjoyed the games and thought we'd have fun with it so we thought it might be an option for us. 

We went to Walmart first.... sold out!  We went to Best Buy.... sold out!  We called the other 2 Walmarts.... sold out!  Unbelieveable!!!  I finally decided to call Target before we made the drive for no reason.  Well, they had 3 in stock!!!  So, we turned the car around and made our way to the Electronics Dept.  The super sweet guy that helped us couldn't have been more informative or patient with my many questions.  When he told us we had 90 days to return it, I was sold!  :-)

We got it home and set it up and have had so much fun, so far!!!  I can see how it can really motiviate you to get active, lose weight, get fit, and have fun all at the same time.  And Mallory's hooked already, too, so it looks to be a great new addition to our family!  :-)

Mommy, look at me!!!

You know that video monitor I wrote about in my last post?  Well, it can't get here soon enough.  Jack has now learned to CLIMB!!!  Last night he and Mallory were playing in his room and I heard him start crying.  It didn't last long at all, but I decided to go check to make sure everything was ok.  This is what I saw when I walked in the room...

Mallory had cleared off all the stuffed animals that were "hiding" this bench so she could sit on it and read.  Well, monkey see, monkey do.... Jack followed right behind her....

Oh yes, I've got two peas in a pod!  :-)

The crying that I had heard ealier was Jack after he fell off the bench and bumped his head on his swing.  (The swing was supposed to deter him from the bench, too.)  It obviously didn't hurt too bad, because he was right back up there two seconds later!

Oh, and where are his pants, you ask?  It's 11 degrees outside and the baby is only wearing a shirt....  Well, sister decided he would be more comfortable not wearing his sweatpants, so she helped him take them off.  :-)  Hurry up, monitor!!!

Look what I won!!!!!

I just got an email from Jenny of BabyBix Blog.  Out of 648 entries, I won THIS!!!!!

It's the Complete Coverage Color Video Monitor Set from Summer Infant Company!!!!

It retails for $300!!!  And I won it!!!!

Check out the details about it...

• 7” LCD color flat screen AND 1.8”color handheld units  
• 900 MHz technology for superior clarity and 350’ range  
• Built-in handle, swivel stand & tilt option on flatscreen  
• Belt clip & flip stand on handheld unit  
• LED sound lights let you see and hear baby’s every sound  
• One touch video on/off for night time convenience  
• Two channel selection to minimize interference

 OH. MY. WORD.  I am so excited!!!  I have an old monitor that I received when Mallory was born that we are still using with Jack.  I have enjoyed it tremendously.  I love being able to hear what's going on in Jack's room at all times during the day and night.  NOW, I'll not only be able to hear what's going on, I'll actually be able to WATCH what's going on.  That is SO cool!!!!

 

Thank you, Jenny and Summer Infant!!!  This is an incredible blessing!!!!!

 

Shopping Fun & A Beautiful Nativity

Right before Christmas my Daddy had a business meeting in Longview.  He knew it wouldn't last very long, so he thought it might be fun if my mom, the kids, and I tagged along.  He knows how much we love to shop!!!  We decided to leave early that morning and drive to Shreveport.  We'd heard that The Boardwalk was a really fun place to shop.  We ate at the Fuddruckers - always SO good!  And, we shopped!  I got Jack a cap, 2 pairs of shoes, and a sweatshirt at Children's Place and would you believe I paid a total of $7.00!!!  WOO-HOO!!  I found some awesome deals!!  :-)

We left there and headed towards Longview.  We made a quick stop at Marshall Pottery.  Mallory immediately fell in love with the Nativity that was made entirely from clay pots!  It was truly gorgeous!  Each piece was hand painted with such incredible detail.  And nothing was left out - the 3 wisemen, the shepherds, the sheep, a huge camel, Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, an angel, and the donkey were all beautifully depicted.  Here are some pics...  I took these with the camera on my phone so the quality is really lacking!  :-(

It was a really fun day!!!