Along with that, you can get the FREE movie tickets for Toy Story 3 when you buy the movie! How awesome is that. AND to top it off, you are getting both the Blue Ray AND the DVD.
Life, people, and events never seem to amaze me. I actually love those moments that make me stop and wonder....REALLY?
So, a few weeks ago, we were at Home Depot and there was a drawing that you could enter to win a FREE front loader washer and dryer set. They were NICE! Of course we entered to win....who wouldn't? Now, fast forward to this past week. Randell's phone rang and I answered it (he was putting Aubrey to sleep). On the other line was a person contracted with Home Depot wanting to inform me that we had not yet won the washer and dryer (Then don't call me!....that was my thought) BUT we had won a $20 gift card. We just had to do ONE little thing to get it.....
We had to have some company (Sweetwater, I think?) come do a water test to see if we have hard water (Hello, we live in San Antonio...it's like a ROCK!). Randell decided that it sounded like a grand idea to make $20!
So, the lady arrives on Saturday morning around 11. We were told this should only take 30 minutes (yeah right!). Randell was watching the tests, which I have to admit were very interesting, and was handling most of the "appointment". So, about half way through this thing though, the sales pitch REALLY starts to shine! Using terms like "Wouldn't it be so nice to drink water straight from the tap?" or "You could save so much money with not having to buy so much soap." and so on. At that point, I totally let Randell take over. I just couldn't handle looking at this lady, who probably only works off of commission, telling her that we only said yes so that we could have the gift card.
Randell, being very nice, allows her to tell him all of the packages and prices for this system. He obviously nicely declines making a purchase and she in on her way and we have a gift card (1 hr later). Once she left, I asked Randell how much something like that would cost. I was SHOCKED and boy do I mean SHOCKED when I learned that that kind of system is at LEAST $7000. Don't get me wrong it's neat, but $7000! Woah...I can not justify that kind of spending.
So, where is the irony in all of this? Well, think about this. This company (Rainsoft/Sweetwater/something like that) is using a drawing for a washer and dryer (FREE mind you) to try to attract new customers. So, they are trying to sell a $7000 product to people who want things for FREE....hello, of COURSE we don't have the money to spend on your product!
After having children I truly look at life differently now. I almost laugh at how I used to be concerned with where my clothes came from, if my hair was perfectly straight, or if my clothes fit "just perfectly" to look my best. These days it is more of a miracle if my hair ends up anywhere else besides a pony tail or if even lip gloss is applied during the day.
Isn't it amazing how "wrapped up" in this world we can become to fit the "mold" that society decides. Watching shows like "What Not to Wear" on TLC or "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC is fun, don't get me wrong, but how is it that we (society) has gotten to a point of being okay with spending $200 on a pair of pants or $6000 on a wedding dress (that's how much my entire wedding + honeymoon cost). It amazes me how society is always trying to keep up with the newest and greatest.
Could this trend be more of a selfish type idea where people always want to stay with the trend to keep eyes on them? Or could it be that people feel more important if they have the newest and greatest "thing"?
I love the song, A More Beautiful You by Jonny Diaz. The song is such a TRUE thought when it comes to who we are, why we were made, and why we are here on earth. What a wonderful place to be in your heart, mind and life. I would like to believe that I am there, although I know there are still things about me that I have not "accepted" yet. My goal is to get there though! I want to experience the true happiness in life, the love for myself, and the love for others just as God intended.
I also hope that I can truly raise my children to love themselves and to not envy the next best thing. Life is not meant to be used for envy and wants, rather to give and be a selfless.
Yes, The Smith family now has a theme song! In fact, even our 2 yr old knows it word for word!
It has become a great stress reliever to sing our wonderful theme song so that I keep from literally going crazy at times. We first noticed that this song would help make Aubrey happy when we were driving in the car. From there on out, we have been using the song as a great distraction.
A little about our crazy life right now.....
The Wreck.... We finally have everything rolling with our insurance company to fix the tahoe. I am actually driving a rental until the END of March! The insurance company has been great though, we have even been able to get new car seats for the kids that the company paid for. My last few things that I need to do are to get to the chiropractor and go to the police to let them know about the guy who hit me.
The Illness... It started with Aubrey having a cold. Dr. said that it would clear up and it did. Right as it was clearing up, we went to get a few of her shots and had Cooper's temp taken "just because." He had a high fever (how did I not know this?) and turns out had strep throat! That was Thursday....this is Monday, it was a LONG weekend! I'm not good at being stuck in the house...I'm just not. So, we took shifts in leaving the house, or all went out but kept Cooper away from others.
At one point during the weekend, sleep was so hard to come by for Randell and myself that the kids were sleeping on our chests (Cooper on me, Aubrey on Randell) and we walked out of their respected rooms while holding them. It was tempting to have all of us climb into one bed. We couldn't though because when one coughed it would wake up the other. I THINK we got a good nights sleep last night!
The Garden...
It's almost ready for plants! I'm so excited. My great friend, Emily, and her two daughters will be assisting in planting, weeding, and picking the fruits of our labor. Randell has done a great job of getting the plant beds built and ready.
The Crafts....
I've decided to take on the project of making the invitations, decorations, party favors, etc for Cooper's birthday party. Since we are not having the party here, I figure since I won't have to clean the house (YIPPEE!!!), I can focus my attention on getting the crafts put together. I will post pictures I'm sure.
Randell: Work is going well, he was moved back to the division that he really enjoys, so he does not dread work near as much! We have talked about new plans for the future regarding his job, it should be interesting to see where God will lead us.
Me: The kids and I were in a wreck this past Monday. A F150 T-Boned us going about 40 mph. He ran a red light. I'm a bit stiff and will probably go see a chiropractor. The down side to all of this is that the guy acted like he had insurance, even produced a card and everything, but we later got a call that he is not covered! So, it's been an adventure, one that I hope ends in my Tahoe coming back looking as pretty as before!
I am still tutoring and enjoying it. The SAHM's group is also growing like crazy (number wise and friendship wise). I have also been talked into running a "made up" 10K. I say "made up" because one of my close friends literally made it up! We're going to extend it out to all of the Mom groups around us to see if we can get something going. We'll see! So, I'm now training almost everyday for this thing....oh man!
Cooper: Has become even smarter! He is GOOD at persuasion and asking nicely for things that he probably should not have. One of his best phrases is "I weally wish this were mine" or "I weally wish I had a toy like that" while holding a sad puppy face! I can't help but laugh at him!
Aubrey: She is about to crawl! She rocks like CRAZY!!! She's finally in her crib for most of the night, although she is still waking up a lot. She's almost 19 pounds and has thunder thighs! She's not too interested in foods yet, although today she went to town on ritz crackers....so hopefully we'll skip baby food all together.
