Impressive

I am a stickler for customer service. I expect to recieve good customer service wherever I go. Bad customer service turns me off on a store for a very long time. I recieved bad customer service at Circuit City one time- it was 5 years (I'm not kidding) before I stepped foot back in the store.

Well this is a story about a store that has gone above and beyond even my expectations.

Tuesday, our anniversary, Aaron had taken the day off. The kids were all at sitters and we had the day to ourselves. We went to Lifeway Bible Bookstore, and ended up purchasing a Christmas present. We paid with a $100 bill. (our only one) We went to lunch and about our day.
The next day, Wednesday, Aaron stopped on the way home to buy some groceries. One of the $20s we had recieved as change at Lifeway was a fake. I called the store, and was told the store manager would call me back the next day (Thursday) Well Thursday came and went with no call, so I called again today. I got put right through to the store manager who was very appologetic. Long story short, they are going to replace the fake $20 with a real one.
He said the same thing happened to him a while back and the store did nothing about it, and it really irritated him. He said he'd rather have a customer for life.
And let me tell you, he does.

As long as we both shall live

11-27-99 11-27-07

Happy Anniversary sweety! :)

Thanksgiving Pictures

Meet and greet with Turkey and Cranberry
Sometimes you love new foods....
Othertimes, not so much...
And sometimes you just can't get enough
Devouring Black Friday Ads....

Happy Turkey Day!

WOW I can't believe its been so long since I blogged! Things have just been crazy! Sickness, etc



Tomorrow (today) is Thanksgiving. Here is a small list of what I am thankful for this year:



* My marriage. Tuesday the 27th marks 8 years that we have been married. It hasn't' been without its bumps in the road, but we've made it through stronger on the other side. We'll have the whole day Tuesday to ourselves, and I can't wait. :o)



*My children. We had a rough day today, but I look at them and I see how truly blessed we are. I had someone ask me the other day when they found out I was only 26-- "how can you already have 4 kids?" Honestly, I never thought I'd have four, at least not so quickly together. Our family was orchestrated by God, and I certainly wouldn't have it any other way.



*My friends. New and old, there are several times that you have supported me during my weakest times. You know who you are, and I hope you also know you have a very special place in my heart.



*My freedom. There are many families who will be sitting one less place at their table today. I am very thankful and mindful that this freedom doesn't come cheap.





What are you thankful for today? I'd love to hear about it. :o)

Kids Say...

I've been sick lately but wanted to make a post. So instead of thinking of things to say, I'm going to let some of the things I've overheard the kids say lately do the talking for me.

Grace: "Bubsy, where's the promised land?"
Connor: "I don't know...I think it must be in Alaska"

Grace: "I sure wish you'd cropwate with me " (said with hands on hips. Btw: cropwate is three year old speak for cooperate)

Sadie: "as much as I love you with my whole heart, don't you know that God loves you more" (spoken to someone who is not a believer- from the mouths of babes huh?)

I know there's more, and if I think of them I'll post them. But my head is still foggy, so thats all you get for now. :0)

Better Late than Never...Halloween Photos

Matthew's Trick

Where'd you get this glass?

I had a rough day yesterday. I've been feeling great for about a week, but yesterday that freight train was back.
I let the kids stay up late last night, because I knew that if they stayed up late, most likely they would sleep a little bit later.
They did, but I still had a hard time pulling myself out of bed. I told them where their breakfast was and lay there trying to wake up. They come in about twenty minutes later all excited...they had made me breakfast. .....

Cake crumbs and milk in a dirty glass.

But it was very sweet of them, and much appreciated by this tired mommy. Now that I'm up I'm feeling much better ..so hopefully today will be a productive day

Sadie

The costume that caused a lot of grief. It finally came and its awesome. :0)

Connor

Mr Tin-Man

Gracie

Miss Scarecrow. :0)

Matthew

Funny story about Matthew's costume. I found this at a garage sale last November. We had just found out that we were having a boy. Every one of the kids have been bought a stuffed animal by Aaron when they were born. I had stashed the costume away in a tote, and forgot about it.

The animal Aaron picked out for Matthew, was a lion. :0)

He's had his monthly picture taken with it since the begining.

Here's our little lion...

Oooooooh We're off to see the Wizard.....

Busy Busy Saturday

I had a photo shoot first thing this morning: www.mandyhowephotography.blogspot.com
It went really well! I was pretty excited about it.
I ran home after, unloaded the pics from the camera and out the door we all went to meet one of Connor's old classmates at the park for a picnic lunch and playtime.
After the park we hung out at Grandma's for a bit, and then headed home. Aaron left to go to the men's bbq and when he got there he called me and asked who was hurt. Apparently one of my siblings had gotten hurt, and dad left the bbq to take them to the ER. So I called grandma, and found out it was Caleb. He broke his arm. Aaron came home, and I went up to the hospital to see him. I stayed up there until they discharged him, then came home. Did the supper thing, and here I am. I'm wore out. Sunday's are always busy, and I am wanting to dress the kids up and take some formal halloween portraits tomorrow. We'll see if it actually gets done.

Yum!

I got this recipe for PB cookies from a friend on a message board. So easy! And very yummy. :0)

1cup Peanut butter
1cup Sugar
1 Egg

Mix all together, roll into balls, use fork to gently make cross in top. Bake at 350* for about 10 minutes.

If you need more than a dozen cookies, I'd double the recipe. They are quick and easy though!

New Matthew Pictures

There are a few 7 month shots of Matty over on my photography blog:

www.mandyhowephotography.blogspot.com

Sick :(

I woke up full blown sick this morning. One of those times when you go to bed fine and wake up feeling like you've been hit by a caravan of 18 wheelers.
I ache, I have a fever, I'm weak, my throat hurts, my head is pounding. At least I can still breath through my nose. Thats one thing to be thankful for.

By the by- how do you like my new layout?

Nice Quiet House

Aaron took the kids to AWANA for me tonight. So its just me and Matthew. All is quiet until I got and take him back out of the kitchen. And then he screams and me, and heads that way again. He's ready to explore. :0)

This has been a crazy week, but mostly I just am so thankful that I am seeing a slight improvement in my health!. I know I haven't been taking the meds to long (3 weeks?) And the improvement is ever so slight, but its there.

Is anyone else going to try and have a China-free Christmas this year?
We are. I can't guarantee for what other people have bought for our kids, but we are not buying anything for our kids this year that is made in China. Now, that means they won't be getting many toys, but I'm going to still try and make it fun. So far:

• They will each get one movie (thats pretty much a tradition anyway)
• I'm making each of them a blanket
• We've gotten Connor a computer game
• I'm looking for a work-at-home mom to make Grace and Sadie some baby doll clothes
• Each of the older kids is getting a Hide-and-Seek bag (this may actually go in their stockings, I haven't decided yet)
• Also in their stockings, I met a mama who makes candy- her suckers are completely dye free! So they will be getting this candy instead of chocolate. I know that Connor and Grace especially miss lollipops etc...but so many of the have red dye.

I'm kinda at a loss for Matthew though. I know that he doesn't really know the difference, but I would like to get him at least one fun thing. And then maybe some practical items for him to "open" :0) If anyone has any more ideas, let me know!

I'm raising a boy!

Yeah I know, newsflash right? It is just something that was reiterated to me yesterday.
I am raising such a boy!

Around mid-day yesterday, Sadie comes out to tell me that the toilet won't flush. Within an hour the entire bathroom is backed up, its nasty, stinky and gross. I can't get ahold of the landlord, and I can't do anything. No dishes, no laundry. Nothing. So we just have so suffer through it. Praying that everyone did their #2 before lunch, lol, we muck through the day.

Connor comes in and tells me he has to potty, I grab the key, walk to the bathroom with him , where he takes one look, then turns back to me and says....."I was just kidding"
Fast forward about thirty minutes, and he is now doing "the dance"

He looks at me with pleading eyes....."Can't I just go on a tree?!"

Ahhh, raising boys.


We finally got ahold of the landlord around 9pm, and roto rooter was here around 10. We now have a clean, working bathroom again. :0)

Seven....

The rules of this are:1. Link the person who has tagged you.2. Tell seven true things about yourself.3. Tag seven new people.4. Leave a message with the person you have tagged so they know about it. I am supposed to name seven truths about myself............. and tag seven new people.

I was tagged by Melzie

• 
  I am totally in love with photography. Head over heels. I cannot wait to get my good camera.
• I am trying so hard to lose weight. It just won't come off. Hopefully things will change soon. I worry about my future if I don't get the weight off soon.
• I'm not really enjoying homeschooling. But I'm very up in the air about what to do next year.
• I'm terrified of flying. Really. Anytime I even think about getting on a plane, I get all tingly and sweaty
• I bake hundreds of Christmas cookies every year.
• I love Eggnog. I have a carton in my fridge constantly while its in season. I get very sad after the first of the year and I can't buy it anymore.
• I would like to move to a better school district, but I don't want to leave our house. I love my house.

Now I tag anyone else who wants to do it. :)