What A Weekend!!!

This weekend has been so full of blessings! Blessing of all shapes and sizes!

I should start by saying I was very discouraged this week. I had realised that the place Scott has been doing side work is behind on 3 invoices. I realised it as I was paying our bills and noticed that all of our accounts were decreasing much more than I had expected. I knew they would go down a LITTLE bit due to Christmas, but I had budgeted for that and prepared for it. However, this was different, and very alarming. I looked thru the files and noticed he hadn;t been paid in almost a month. Not good. I was pretty upset. Then it dawned on me. I had just paid our mortgage, and on time. The money WILL come in, and when it does, it will seem like a HUGE increase. It really is all about perspective.

I had sent out some custom order tu-tu sets, and was hoping that the people I sent them to would accept them as gifts. However, one of the recipients decided that she would not only pay me for the items, but genorously pay me a lot more. It could not have come at a better time. That morning I was preparing a list of the items I would need to purchase at the grocery store to celebrate the upcoming holidays. I was also a little worried that I would be stetching things a little too thin if those checks from Scotts job didn't come in. That gift would cover it!

Later that day as I went to get Mikayla from school I decided to leave a little early. I went to Sears Essentials where I had discovered a great sale. They are doing away with their toy department, so all of the toys were 30% off on top of buy one, get one FREE! I had been there the day before to get a couple little things for a campaign a friend was running to help out a sick shild during Christmas. That is where KAtelyn saw Belle! Not just any Belle, but Barbie Belle with her pink sparkly horse. You see, I have this "policy" with the little ladies, when we shop, I allow them to hold onto a toy if they stay in the cart, or they may get out of the cart and simply look but not touch the toys. They know that we have to put the toy back where we got it when we are done shopping, and usually do it without a fuss. That day was no different. Katelyn held onto Belle, and when we were leaving I asked her to put it back. She was reluctant, and said oooooo-kaaaayyyyy. Then she followed that up with, I bet Santa will bring it. I have been a a good girl. (We do not encourage or discourage Santa...we kinda go with the flow. The kids know about Jesus and that the celebration of his birth is the REAL and TRUE meaning of Christmas first and foremost.) So I knew what had to be done, I took the Belle and shoved it under their seats in the stroller...I chose another toy at the same price to get as my free item as well.

We got to the register and I handed the cashier Belle and her horse. I asked him to put it back for us as I dramatically winked my eye...he didn't get it. I nudged KAtelyn a little bit further from me, and angled the stroller so she couldn;t see me. As I explained my plan to the cashier, I discovered I had left my wallet at home. GREAT. I apologized for the onconvenience, and I left the store.

I called Scott and I was pretty sad. He said he would meet me in the parking lot after I picked Mikayla up, and that I could back in and buy the items. I agreed and was sure they would be gone. It was the last one. the very last one.

When Scott met us in the parking lot, Mikayla and I jumped out and ran into the store looking up and down each aisle. Then, there were my items....just thrown on a shelf, out of place. Thank you Lord!!! I was able to purchase, all 4 princesses and Belle's pink sparkly horse as well as some Matchbox cars for my nephew for $17.00!!!!! I know presents are not really important, but this gift will truly make Christmas so special for her. She has mentioned to us several times that we had to put Belle back...and that she really wants a pink sparkly horse!!! I will post a picture of her face upon opening this gift and share it soon after Christmas! On top of that, we ran into my sister at the check out and we were able to wish her a happy birthday and sneak in a kiss from my niece!

Later that night, was Mikayla's school Christmas play. I had invited some family to come, and a bunch showed up!!! We took up over an entire row!!!! I really enjoyed sitting next to my nephew, and hearing him get so excited about the songs, and seeing Mikayla perform! The best part, is he told me he loved me like a million times! Those little guys warm my heart. My cousin is such a wonderful mother, and her husband is the perfect match for her. The way they love those kids, and love my kids is nothing short of amazing.

After the play, some of the family came back to the house for some dessert. I gave the boys their Christmas gifts, and Ayden spotted his birthday gift as well. So, I figured...why not? I gave it to him. They were so greatful for the small items I was able to get them, and that made me so happy! The biggest blessing....I am so glad I gave him his birthdya gift! I had misunderstood the time of his birthday party, so we ended up having to miss it! So happy he spyed that birthday package!!!

Saturday afternoon as I was sitting in traffic trying to get to the grocery store, I received a phone call from an uncle. He asked if I would be home, and said he wanted to stop by. I was beyond excited to visit with him! I also happily turned around and ventured to a wholesale store to get a few items instead of trying to get down the DW Highway!

As I walked into BJ's I glanced over the coupons! YAY! There was a coupon for $10 off of a spiral ham and a free big bag of rolls if I purchased 4 of the items listed on the page. I had coupons for 2 of the tiems listed, and needed 4 of them, so I took advantage of this deal. I walked out of there with a 10 lb. Smithfield spiral ham for $8.03, and a free bag of rolls. Not to mention the other items I needed and saved money on with coupons! Getting stuck in traffic turned out to be a blessing!

Not long after I returned home from BJ's, my aunt and uncle had stopped by. I TRULY enjoy visit from family...a BUNCH! We welcomed them in and started talking. I learned so much about my aunt in just a short amount of time. I learned of her genuine love for animals, her practical gift giving, and her persuit of finding good deals! They weren;t staying long, so as they were getting ready to leave, they handed us alittle box, inside was a Visa gift card. I felt tears welling up, but I knew it would confuse the little if they saw me crying so I thanked them and held my tears back. God is so good.

That afternoon we had also gone to Scott's cousins open house, she is starting up her own Mary-Kay business! (If you need product, I can refer you to someone great!) I took the older 2 with me and I was hopign to find alittle something for my mother in law. Low and behold, I found the PERFECT little gift set that was put together! On top of a finding the perfect gift, I was told that I would be receiving a family discount! This made the item fit perfectly into my budget!

We got home form the open house, and got a phone call from another one of SCotts cousins saying that she would be in the area to go to the open house as well! My girls love her, and we hadn't seen her for a while. We love getting visits!!!
It was perfect timing as Katelyn had been asking about her a few times thoughout the week!

After our visit, Mikayla got ready for her annual Nanny/Mikayla Christmas present date. For 3 years now Scotts mom has gifted Mikayla with tickets to a play. This year they were going to see a local production of "A Christmas Carole". Mikayla was dressed to the nines! She is so pretty, when she gets really dressed up, it is almost scary! WE wished them well as they headed off! Minutes later I got aphone call, Mikayla hadn;t packed things to stay over night. So, I packewd her bag, and asked SCott if he would take it over to his parents house. It worked out great! Scott was able to take the things to his parents house and spend some quality time with his father. They enoy each others company so much! I love their realtionship!

Shortly after Scott left, the little went COO-COO!!!! I mean full on over tired, out of thier minds crazy!!! They couldn't stay in bed for the life of them. After TRYING to get them to settle down, I gave up. I was exhausted. I asked them to come out to the living room, I gathered their blankets and pillows and set them up on the couch and turned on a Christmas program. It turned into the sweetest night we have had in a long time. They laid, perfectly still, and enjoyd the shows. They didn't fuss one bit. I sat between them and snaggled them and simply enjoyed this special quiet time. I prayed right then and there and thanked God for all 3 of our little ladies. I am so thankful he let me be thier mom. Not long after they had settled down, Corryn asked to go to bed. She fell right to sleep. Not long after that, Katelyn asked to go to bed and she fell right to sleep as well.

Sunday morning while we were at church, I was so excited thinking about another group of people who would experiencing big blessings! One of my cousins had a friend who would not be having Christmas for her children due to finances. My cousins simply put out a request for a remote control that went to a toy she was planning on givng her friend to use a gift for her son. Before I knew it, her Facebook status was FULL of people offering gifts and money to help this family! My cousin organized a Christmas for this family! Thru the help of friends and family, she brought over a truck full of presents and a Christmas dinner! It is so wonderful to see other people do kind things for people...especially when they aren't expecting it! My cousins excitement and greatfulness was contagious!

That afternoon, we were able to have lunch with some friends! Scott was able to play video games with some MALES, the little girls played together wonderfully, and the tweens enjoyed each other as well. I was also able to confide in a friend and do alot of catching up! God has given the greatest friends.

The evening was finished with the Christmas Jubilee at church. It is my favorite service. Several famile and small groups perform different acts. Mostly songs and musical pieces and it si always a huge blessing to me! I expecially love to see the little ones sing with their familes, and sing off key, or picj their nose or something! ADORABLE!!!!!

See what I mean about a blessed weekend? I mean that isn;t even all of it! But,I am tired, and I have a tax class tomorrow, so I need to go to bed!

I am so thankful for ALL of the people that allow God to use them as a blessing to us. I can only hope that I am sensitive enough to His calling to be a blessing to others.