Giveaway over at Step into my Life

We all love Giveaways - over at A step into my Life  Kit is having a giveway - you should visit her blog and enter.  She also has a really neat blog Step into my Kitchen.  Can not wait to try to cook some of her stuff.

 

Have you gotten all of your Christmas shopping done? Do you love the CSN stores?  If you answered yes to those questions then you need to enter my GIVEAWAY!

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from tv tables for your living room

upholstered headboards for your bedroom

to fancy butcher's blocks for your kitchen!

In this GIVEAWAY you have the chance to win a $35 gift certificate to use as you wish at any of their 200 online stores!

Let me know if you ever shopped at at CSN store?

Fill in the blank Friday

1.   Black Friday is   CRAZY!  I have never seen so many people out and on a mission - I just wish I knew what that misson was that they were after :).

2.  Christmas shopping this year will include  hopefully lots of great stuff - toys, clothes and games (Raphael)

3.  Holiday shopping makes me   "Happy"  I enjoy being out and about!

4.  This year my Christmas list will include  I am not expecting anything but always love clothes and any Illini clothes.

5.  Bargain hunter, or full price shopper?    I really try and be a bargain hunter -  I just wish I was better at finding the bargins!

6.  The best and worst things about shopping is   the lines and the money we spend :)

7.  Online shopper or in-person shopper?   In person shopper - I like to look at it and touch it.  Hopefully not wear it or use it before I give it away as a gift.

Loving Wednesday

Its Wednesday Everyone - Its time to Link up with This Kind of Love - Have a great Weekend!

I am Loving -  That tomorrow is Thanksgiving -  I have so much to be Thankful for!

I am Loving that tonight I get to watch these two special people!

I am Loving - that Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, Walter Camp Foundation National Player of the Week, Rivals.com National Player of the Week and College Football Performance Awards National Performer of the Week following his record-setting performance in Illinois’ 48-27 win over Northwestern at Wrigley Field on Saturday. Leshoure broke Illinois’ single-game rushing record with 330 yards on 33 carries, an incredible average of 10.0 yards per carry, with two touchdowns.

I taught him to drive when he was 15.  We knew back then he was going to successful in Football.  I am just happy to see him on the fighting Illini team.  Today he also gave back to the community by giving away Turkeys.  How Cool is that!

I Loving - that I get to spend the weekend with my family -  I could not ask for a better family!

Christmas Blog Challenge Day 1

 I linking up with Analyze This Christmas Blog Challenge we will see if I can do 12 days.

Traditions at our house for Christmas.  Honestly this is a hard time for my family from Thanksgiving to Christmas.   I enjoy going to my parents and staying the night. Waking up at the house I grew up in.  I know Ashley will  enjoy this also.  I would be happy staying there the entire 2 weeks that we are off school.  My dad might think different. 

  On Christmas Eve we go to candle light service at church in Rantoul.  Then back to her house we usually have shrimp from the deli not a bag real good shrimp with good sauce.  It very low key I can't wait for it to grow back to a party.  We use to go to my grandparents friends house every Christmas eve for a party and then they got older and passed away  Then we went to my Uncles for Christmas Eve.  Except 7 years ago he passed away he was on a ladder putting up Christmas Tree lights and fell it was not a big ladder. So Thanksgiving is rough for my family.   It was 4 days before Thanksgiving. 

Christmas morning we have always gone to Danville in the mornings to extended family's Maru - for breakfast, the men make omelets, toasts and have pastries, and O.J.  It is very enjoyable time this was been going on since before I was born.  I would say with everyone families  keep growing at one time there can be 40 people in the house for breakfast.  It is just a wonderful time.  I would not trade this for anything.

In the afternoon my aunt Lori usually has us over for appetizers.  It fun to get together some cousins come by and some time Shannon's family is still in town from Bloomington.

We have Christmas with my brother and his family and my parents some time before the New Year  sometime its after the New Year.  I like that because I can find some good bargains after Christmas.  I hope they are not  reading :)

See the other part that is hard for my family is on Christmas my grandmother on my mothers side passed away.  She always loved Angels - so now I think what A day to go and be with the Angels.  It was a blessing for her to go on Christmas Day.

Fill in the blank Friday

Happy Friday - Hope everyone had a great week!

Tonight we had a dance at school the students had a great time.  This weekend I am hoping to get out the Christmas decorations.  The house is going to start looking like Christmas.  On Saturday we will be going to the Gifford State Bank Craft Fair.

I linked up with  Fill in The Blank Friday - So lets play along

1.   My Thanksgiving plans this year will include :  Starting at 9:00 a.m.  Ashley and I are going to do the 43rd Annual Turkey Trout - its a mile fun run or walk.  I think that will be a fun tradition we can start doing together.  This year I will push her in the stroller but next year she may be able to walk the mile.  Then we will go off to Liz and Dan's they have lunch and they play a big game of flag football with t-shirts and tropheys and the ladies always have a craft to do.  Then in the evening I will go to my brothers for dinner.  My sister-law family comes over from Chicago.  Kyle has to work till 7:00 so it will be a late dinner.  They always have so much food - It's a great time.

2.  My favorite Thanksgiving was when my parents use to have Thanksgiving at our house and everyone would come.  We use to have about 30 people.   They would set big tables up in the basement.  I remember making name tags for everyone where they would sit.  My mom would have special decorations.  You were not allowed to use the Thanksgiving napkins those were only for show.  Everyone would always tease my mom.  I remember help carrying out things to Grandma and Grandpa's car.  I remember the last Thanksgiving we had with my Grandpa.  Thanksgiving was at our house.  I don't think after he passed that we had another Thanksgiving at our house.

  

3.  My signature Thanksgiving dish is  I don't have one yet.  I will have to try and find one.   I do love making dishes and taking them to our Thanksgivings.

4.  My favorite Thanksgiving food is  the Turkey - I love it when its hot.  I also always loved my grandmother's dressing, even the oyster dressing.

5.  Thanksgiving free association  - lots of family,  eating to many desserts, getting ready for Black Friday.

6.  Thanksgiving is   a time to reflect on the year and think about what you what out of the new year.

7.  I am thankful for   Ashley she was born on Oct 6, 2007 I have had her since birth  and I  officially adopted her on August 24, 2010.  Ashley been such a blessing, she has changed my life.  Just on Thursday I got her official  birth certificate it brought tears to my eyes.

Christmas Blog Challenge

November 18, 2010

 Ally and  Molly over at "Analyze this" are hosting the 12 days of Christmas blog challenge.  I am so excited and cant wait for it to start on Monday.  I think that their topics are so great and festive so you should join in on the fun!

here are the rules...

Start Date: Monday, November 22nd

{Topics}

Day 1: Christmas/Holiday traditions

Day 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks

Day 3: Most meaningful gift/best gift you've received

Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday season

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special

Day 6: Gift ideas (what do YOU want? We all have family/friends reading our blogs...so let them know!)

Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY  (If you don't make anything, what do you WISH you could make?)

Day 8: Least favorite thing about the Holidays

Day 9: Favorite Holiday recipe

Day 10: Favorite Christmas Songs/Caroles

Day 11: New Year Resolutions

Day 12: Show us your decorations (indoor/outdoor)

Day 13: Favorite Cookie Recipe

Day 14: Oprah's Favorite Things: What item(s) would you want if you were in the audience?

Come back on Monday to link up! I hope you all join in! We are giving you a sneak peek so you can start getting prepared!

Days 1 -3 are November 22 - 24

**** NO BLOG CHALLENGE ON Thanksgiving! ****

Day 4 will pick back up on November 26th!!

You do not want to miss out!!!!

Loving Wednesdays!

I am linking up with This Kind of Love 75  people  linked up last week to share what they were loving! It's so fun to see what everybody is loving each week :)  You should leave comment at what you are loving on this Wednesday.

I am Loving - That last night Ashley and I went to:

We had a great time:  Ashley got a Elmo light that she loves - she also had a red snow cone and some pink cotton candy.  I said NO to the $10.00 Elmo balloon.

I am also Loving - That this weekend went to Chambananamoms 1year birthday party.   My sister law Ileana and I went and had a blast.  It was also a fundraiser for the  County YMCA with Larkin’s Place at the Y. Some great prizes were available, plus we had some great food and drink at a downtown Champaign favorite Farrens.

I am also Loving - That this time next week it will be the night before Thanksgiving!  I have so much to be Thankful for!  It is  just wonderful how God works in our lives everyday!

Psalm 107:1

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever"

Ole Miss Looks to Bounce Back Against LSU

   Coach Nutt such a Motivator!  I stiil think the University Of Illinois should of really looked at him as a football coach.

Happy Tuesday!

 I hope everyone had a wonderful Tuesday!

I just heard this song - It might be Ashley and I new song.

Ten on Tuesday's

 I'm playing along with Roots and rings and answering these fun questions!

{one}

Who makes your Thanksgiving dinner?

Well...we have a few Thanksgiving dinners! We have one at Liz and Dan's in Danville they always have a huge flag football game and a craft everyone does.  Then in the evening my sister-in-law and brother have us over.

{two}

What is your favorite recipe that includes pumpkin?

Pumpkin Muffins! ( see earlier post)

           

{three}

What are 5 things you want for Christmas?

Oh goodness...I really have no idea! I should probably make a little list pretty soon :)

{four}

Does your family draw names or do you buy for everyone?

We buy for everyone. Our family is not too huge so we like to try to get a little something for everybody!

{five}

How do you feel about motorcycles?

I personally don't like them...they seem scary and dangerous!

{six}

What's your favorite thing to do on a rainy Saturday?

Stay in and cook and watch the my shows on my DVR.  If you know me you know I do not like to stay in!

{seven}

What is the coolest thing to do in your city?

 I guess touring University's campus, going to football or basketball games,

{eight}

Do you paint your fingernails?

 I just  use OPI and I have Linda paint my nails from her shop its like being at a SPA!

{nine}

Who is your favorite actor over the age of 50?

Michael Douglas and Sally Field's

{ten}

Do you have a high school letter jacket?

I can not remember!  I think I thought that was for boys!  I am sure my mom is going to ask where my class ring is?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I am linking up with Jamie for What I'M Loving Wednesday last week she had 65 people link up with her.

I'M LOVING that this weekend Liz and Dan had their pumpkin carving party.  We had a wonderful time.

I'M LOVING that tonight Franklin Boys basketball games started.  We won are first game of the season both 7th and 8th grade.  Hope this means its going to be a GREAT SEASON!

I'M LOVING that next Thursday we have off of school.  I am dreaming of sleeping in!  We might find something fun to that day Ashley and I.

Of course I'M LOVING   Ms. Ashley - who could say NO to this face?

I'M LOVING that November is Adoption Month

 

November Thanksgivings! Day 2

  I am linking up with Katie for November Thanksgivings.  We all can take a little more time out of the day to remember what we are Thankful for.  I know I can not say this enough I am so Thankful for my family.  We had the best weekend.  Liz and Dan had their annual Pumpkin Carving Party.  Kyle and Ileana's family joined us they have not been in a very LONG TIME :).  Ileana family also came from Chicago and I think they had a great time.  We always have a great time and great food.  I have so much fun planning and taking the food.   This makes you remember what family and friends are about.

                                           Jace is close to Ashley age - I could not get her to get her hand in a pumpkin and work like that!

    The kids have a parade in their costumes and we  handed out candy they love it.

I wish I could say I carved these pumpkins but mine do not even look close to this - Bruce and Courtney did these.

 This is Courtney and Bruce that carved out Burt and Ernie.  
Psalm 100:4-5 – "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures for ever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

 

November Thanksgivings!

 

I am linking up with Kate for what I am thankful for today.  I am thankful that I have a job.  I know so many people are out there without jobs.  I pray that they will be able to find a job that they love.  I am so thankful for the friends that came and put up Ashley swing set  on Saturday.  It just brought tears to your eyes that they would come and do that for us.  When Ashley woke up on Sunday - she said "it is still here".  It just bring tears to my eyes everytime I look out my kitchen window.  I am so thankful that so many people love Ashley to death :).    I will try and post a picture soon of our new swing set!

Of course I am Thankful for Ashley - I do not know what my life would be with without her.  It is amazing how children change your life - :)  I understand now what people are saying when they say they will do anything for their children.

What are you Thankful for?