Mail Call: Dec 19 - 24

Good Afternoon! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with their families!! Ours went really well...the girls were so excited for Santa Claus to come. We put cookies (which Destin and I made) and pink lemonade out. He brought all kinds of gifts for the girls...clothes, baby dolls, a MobiGo game system, Elmo, board games and more!

Then that morning we celebrated with Patrick's dad, brothers and families. They got more cute clothes, and toys to enjoy. Then later on that afternoon we celebrated with my mom, stepdad and little brother...where they got a new kitchen set and many other fun toys/clothes/etc. Busy, busy! And we still have ONE more Christmas to celebrate this coming up weekend with Patrick's mom in Osceola :D

We are so incredibly thankful for everything we received from all of our family, but most of all we are thankful for each other, and having such incredible loved ones to call our own.

As far as this week with the mail, I got lots of fun goodies...

• Karen Katz Christmas book for Arwen (Christmas gift via Amazon.com credit)



• Toys R Us $5 off $25 or more coupon


• $50 Check from Maggies Clubs (paid post on FFF)


• Christmas cards from family


• Maxim magazine (freebie)


• Philips Avent bottle (freebie)


• E-Pillow (PR & Giveaway at FFF)


• Calendar from our real estate agent


• Examine Yourself book by John MacArthur, Jr. (freebie)


• Free Hostess Frosted Devils Food Donettes coupon from Viewpoints


• Huggies Diaper sample from Sams Club


• Alpha Hydrox (PR for FFF)


• Totsy order for the girls’ Christmas


• Purex Insider box w/new product (which won’t be on shelves til Feb. 2012)


• DarkReds cd (PR & Giveaway for FFF)


• Woolite sample & coupon


• “Take Charge and Change your life Today” by Trevor Bolin (BR for FFF)


• A box of goodies from Hidden Variable (creators of Bag It!) (PR & Giveaway for FFF, completed earlier this month)


• “Daily Gifts of Grace” (BR for FFF)


• Yum Yum Dish/Bowl (PR & Giveaway for FFF)


• Nescafe samples (set of 6)


• Tena pad samples (freebie from Walmart)

Mail Call: Dec 12 - 17

Happy Monday! Time is just flying by...and in less than a week, Christmas Day will be here. Wrapped presents, cookies for Santa and a house filled with (more) laughter and smiles will be here soon...

I am really excited for this year, since Destin is the perfect age to really understand Christmas and all the fun songs/movies/books that go with it. I just know next year, when Arwen is over 2, she will be just as excited :D

This week we had a surprise visitor...Grandpa Todd (my dad) came from Colorado for the weekend. The girls absolutely LOVE him, and had so much fun playing with all day/night! We even had an adventure to Burr Oak Woods (a local nature center) one day, and a trip to Bass Pro Shops the next. We saw all sorts of animals, including snakes, birds, turtles, deer and more! And on Sunday, we went shopping just the two of us...and spoiled everyone in the family. New shirts for Patrick, new clothes/toys for the girls, new clothes for me, and treats/toys for Daisy & Duke. :D

I only wish that he could have stayed longer...and I wish he could have brought my step-mom, Grandma Julie. Destin asked me every day where she was, and pointed out everything that Gma Julie had bought her. She has such a good memory!

My next project, I think...needs to be a photo/memory book for the girls with all the family members that love them. I think they would really like something like that, and would definitely put a "face to a name" or vice versa. I have seen these online on various sites, and would love to invest some time into making one for them.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! And if I don't post before this weekend, please have a safe and very Merry Christmas with your family!!

Here is what came in my mailbox this week...

• Ralph Lauren {orange, white & purple striped} belt (freebie from Nomorerack)



• 2 rubber bracelets from OpenDoors (freebie)


• Parents magazine for January


• $50 Visa GC that I won from One2OneNetwork


• Totsy.com order (Christmas gifts for the girls)


• Cowgirl boots for Destin & Arwen (Christmas gift from Gma & Gpa Sowerby)


• $25 Gift Certificate to ALDI (payment for PR & Giveaway at FFF)


• Earrings from DarcusTori.com


• Christmas cards from family


• Photo Ornament from Snapily.com (freebie I made)

Mail Call: Dec. 5 - 10

Not a super exciting weekend...we went to a birthday party for an old friend on Saturday, and Gma Melanie came for a visit on Sunday. Right now we are getting ready to wrap presents and prepare for the holidays (which is less than 12 days away!!!). EEK!

Here is what came in my mailbox this week:
• Show Stoppers (nude strips for clothing ~ freebie/sample)• “Sleeper’s Run” (Book Review for FFF)

• Vicks Honey Cold/Flu coupon for $4.00 off (freebie from Vocalpoint)

• M – magazine (freebie)

• John Frieda Sheer Blonde sample pack – came w/shampoo, conditioner and spray (freebie)

• Skindinavia (make up setting spray – as seen here ~ PR & Giveaway for FFF)

• Homegating w/Wholly Guacamole set – came inside a small cooler w/7 different kinds of guacamole, 2 kinds of salsa, and lots of party ideas/favors (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• 3 pair of earrings from DarcusTori.com (Paid Post for FFF)

• Photobook from PhotoBin (PR & Giveaway for FFF)

• Learn n’ Turn Utensils (PR & Giveaway for FFF)

• Silver money clip from Daily Steals.com (freebie)

• Holiday cards from Amy Adele.com (PR for FFF)

Mail Call: November 28 - December 3rd

Good Morning! I hope everyone had a wonderful week/weekend! We had hopes of getting our Christmas shopping finished, but still have a couple more people on our list to buy for...so I am planning on going one night this week (by myself - YAY!).

Oh, and since I didn't post a picture last week when we went to see Santa...here is one:

Over the weekend, we had lots of events going on. On Thursday, the girls and I went to the library for story time (where Arwen tried to run out the door a total of three times - AHH!). On Friday, we went to Paradise Park (for FREE) thanks to our local Parents as Teachers. Destin just loves it there - but she put up quite a fight when we had to leave (REALLY NOT FUN for me!).

Saturday, we did shop shopping w/the girls at Target, Walmart, and Sears Grand - too many places at once, but we made it! Then that evening, we went to Destin's best friends house for a Princess Birthday Party! Oh my goodness! That was so much fun! My very good friend Holly even hired a REAL princess to come to the party ~ Rapunzel. I just could not believe how awe-stricken all of the little girls were! Destin just loved it!!

Sunday, grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry and then we celebrated Patrick's brothers' 20th birthday. Happy Birthday Eric! Its crazy to believe how much he has grown since Patrick and I started dating back in 2003.

Overall, a crazy packed weekend! This week, we really don't have much going on - other than the usual library time and cleaning house. I hope you al have a wonderful week ahead of you!

Here is what came in my mailbox this week:
• Cappuccino machine from Whole Latte Love (PR & Giveaway for FFF)



• VTech MobiGo system & game (PR & Giveaway for FFF)


• Baby doll for Arwen from Amazon (Christmas gift ~ free w/credit)


• Teas’ Tea bag, pen and 2 Teas’ Tea sample bottles & pen (PR & Giveaway for FFF)


• “Zero” board game (PR for FFF)


• Washable Overall Dog Diaper (PR for FFF)


• Stadium Jerkey sample (freebie)


• The Princess and the Pee underwear (PR & Giveaway for FFF – comes w/eBook too)


• Shutterfly photo mugs and calendar (Christmas gifts I ordered)


• Personalized New Years cards from Mixbook (PR for FFF)


• Thriving Family magazine (December – freebie)


• Fijit for Destin from Amazon (Christmas gift ~ free w/credit)


• Tylers coffee (PR & Giveaway for FFF)


• Teacarina (PR & Giveaway for FFF)


• Ear Peace (PR & Giveaway for FFF)