Thanksgiving

We spent our Thanksgiving in Tallahassee this year, visiting Matt's family, stuffing our faces with yummy food, and watching TONS of football.  I didn't take as many pictures as planned, so the ones below are courtesy of Matt snatching the camera and trying to capture our time there.

Abby was crowned Thanksgiving Princess by her grandparents and daddy before dinner.  And she truly believes she is a princess.

My hospitable in-laws...thanks, guys!

Jackson, licking his lips after getting his own serving of turkey.  Who knows what else he ate while we were there :(

My sister-in-law, Sarah, washing the dishes and trying not to scowl at her brother taking the picture.

My niece, Shelby, is taller than me!

My nephews, Drew and Trace...tons of fun and energy!

iPhone Thanksgiving

What I'm Reading...

"Let your passion to explain become a passion to know Christ...
Let your passion to be right become a passion to honor Christ...
Let your passion to heal become a passion to give hope...
Let your passion to connect become a passion to trust a sovereign Christ."

(Crabb, Finding God, p. 212)

Frugal Friday: Money Back with Ebates

If you're doing any online shopping this holiday season, I have a great money saving tip for you!  If you shop through Ebates, you can earn up 1-26% cash back every time you shop, depending on the store.  There are over 1000 stores involved, including Kohl's, eBay, Target, Walmart, Toys R Us, Bed Bath & Beyond.

And if you're buying a flight or booking a hotel through Expedia or Travelocity, you can get cash back too!

Think about it this way, many of you are already earning 1-5% back on purchases with your credit card rewards.  Why not double dip and get another 1-26% back as a check through Ebates?

My first Ebates check came in the mail the other day...see?  It works :)  And it looks like if you sign up, you get $5 added to your account automatically!  Check it out here.

Outside My Window

Every year since we moved to North Carolina, I've appreciated the gorgeous autumn trees.  I don't know what it is about those colors, the smell, or the crunch beneath your feet, but it makes me want to wrap up in a blanket, eat home made soup, and wear my fuzzy slippers.  It is one of my favorite times of the year!

Oh, and I'm experimenting around with my new photo app, Instagram.  Love the filters :)

Quotes Around Our Home

"Looks like you have a bicycle chain around your neck."
- Matt, in reference to my new necklace

"Watch a booby!"
- Abigail, in reference to wanting to watch a movie...we're getting some of our consonants confused.

DIY Instant Oatmeal

Now that it's getting colder in the mornings, we've been more in the mood for something hot and yummy for breakfast.  Unfortunately, I'm not much of a morning person and the thought doing anything more than pouring a bowl of cereal or popping something in the toaster is more than I can handle in my state of delirium.  So, when I came across this idea for instant oatmeal on a blog (so sorry I forgot which one, or else I would link it), I jumped at the chance to try it.  This is sooooo much tastier than packaged instant oatmeal, is super convenient, and costs less.

Place the following in a snack size Ziploc bag:

1/3 cup quick cook oats

1 T brown sugar (or however much you want)

Dried cranberries, cherries, blueberries, etc.

Chopped walnuts or slivered almonds

When you're ready to cook it on a chilly morning, just pour the contents of one bag into a bowl, add 2/3 cup milk or water, and microwave for 1 minute.  Voila!  Super yummy oatmeal made super quick despite a super state of sleepiness.

According to Abby...

Halloween

We had a fun time celebrating the Halloween season the past few days.  It was a first for both Abigail and Matt to carve pumpkins and go trick-or-treating.  As we steal candy from our daughter's trick-or-treat stash, we would like to remember the fun experiences leading up to our sugar overload.



Mommy, why don't you trust me with a pumpkin carving knife?



A look of despair.  Matt's pumpkin ended up in the trash about an hour later.  Good try, sweetie!  On another note, my jack-o-lantern is looking pretty good.



This is what it looks like to trick-or-treat with determination.



Enjoying the ride with our friend, Juliabelle.



Knock, knock, knock!



Hmmm...nobody is coming to the door.  Maybe I'll just try to let myself in.



The...doorbell...is...too...high!  So much work for candy!



Sorting out the stash with Daddy



Happy Halloween!



Check out Matt's post on Halloween here.

Some good thoughts on the season!