No Match-ups This Week

I have decided to take a week off from my MARTIN’S Top Deals Post.

We have had a busy week and have enjoyed catching up with family and friends in addition to reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.  This is also a busy time for us because it is Natalie’s birthday.  (My oldest daughter.)

We have been really trying to avoid adding more clutter and things to our home. I have been purging clothes and toys for the last month. In an effort to cut down on things being brought into our home we were trying to focus on spending time together, and making memories. We have season passes to Busch Gardens and were able to take the kids down to Busch Gardens Christmas Town and enjoy lunch with Santa. Here is a family picture that we were able to have taken in front of Santa’s fireplace before the kids got to talk to Santa. The kids had a great day, enjoyed the shows and loved the decorations.  We were even able to catch-up with family and friends who were also there for the day. When we got home Natalie and Megan both told us, “Thanks for a great time and a fun lunch with Santa.”

 

Check back next week for match-ups, but until then have a Happy New Year. 

~Ann

It’s Not Fair!!!!!!

“It’s not fair!” is a phrase that Natalie has begun to say and now Megan has picked up and is repeating.  I don’t like it.  One night at dinner, when I was breaking something in half for them to share, Natalie exclaimed that it wasn’t fair.  I had had a long day and was exhausted.  I looked at her and I asked her what wasn’t fair.  I then proceeded to let her know that it wasn’t fair that there are people who don’t have food to eat and we have more than enough, and that there are people who don’t have a nice, warm house on a cold night like us.  My rant didn’t phase her.

Since I have become a parent I have really seen my relationship with God in a new way.  I always knew that God was my heavenly father and that He loved me.  I knew that my parents loved me.  It wasn’t until I became a mother that I realized how much a parent truly loves their child.  It allowed me to see the Bible verses I had learned as a child in an entirely different light.  For example, probably one of the first verses I can remember memorizing was John 3:16 (ESV) – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  I can’t imagine as a parent loving something or someone else enough to give up my child.  WOW – God really loves me (and you)!

I started to think about the “it’s not fair” outburst with Natalie and Megan and about how many times I have said that to God about something in my own life.  I was the selfish preschooler upset because the “other piece” looked more appealing.  God was the parent looking back at me and saying, “Was it fair that my son came to live on this earth, and then died on the cross for your sins?”  My response, “No God, it isn’t fair.  Thank you for giving us your son, Jesus, and allowing him to sacrifice himself for me.”

I hope that I can stop being the selfish preschooler and instead be the thankful adult and realize that no it isn’t fair, but I appreciate everything that I have and that has been given to me.  I hope that in the busyness of Christmas that you have the time to reflect on what a precious gift it really was to the world when Christ was born.

Merry Christmas!

~Ann

Busch Gardens Christmas Town Tickets for only $5

The promotional code has been discontinued

I just saw this link from a friend on facebook – if you follow the directions you can get a ticket to Busch Gardens’ Christmas Town for only $5!  They are normally $21.99 for anyone over the age of 3. 

You do have to pay for parking to the park with admission to Christmas Town, but if you have a valid season pass the parking is free. 

We are Busch Gardens pass holders and went to Christmas Town last year.  The park was decorated beautifully and the few shows we saw were great.  The girls especially enjoyed having a special lunch with Santa.  There were also lots of holiday food and snacks to enjoy at the park – like peppermint hot chocolate.

The dates for Christmas Town are select days between Friday, November 26, 2010 and Friday, December 31, 2010.  Click here for a link to the dates and times they are open. 

**Update – When you order your tickets you do have to enter the name(s) of the people you are purchasing the tickets for.  I think this is to eliminate people from buying a large quantity of tickets and then reselling them. 

A day off

When I worked full-time as a pharmacist I used to dread going back to work the day after a holiday. That day was always a horrible day because even though people knew that the pharmacy was going to be closed for the day, somehow they didn't think far enough ahead to realize that their pills were not going to magically multiply in their prescription bottle and they always ran out on the holiday. They then proceed to arrive at the pharmacy first thing in the morning the day after the holiday so they can complain about running out of their medication. I would usually hear some sort of remark like, "I need to wait for this. That is one of my heart medicines and I didn't have any to take yesterday or today." I, of course, with a concerned look on my face would say something like, "Oh no. Well, I have several people ahead of you so it is going to be about 20-30 minutes before it is ready." I would then go to refill the prescription and realize that if they really were taking it like they were suppose to they would have needed a refill last week. I always called those days Monday & Tuesday rolled into one.

In my stay-at-home mom world I don't dread the day after a holiday. But, I have realized that I am still playing catch-up for having a "day off" yesterday. I obviously was still a wife & mom, but it always feels like a vacation day whenever Steve has the day off also. Whenever Steve has a day off it is amazing how much smoother the day seems. Yesterday we were able to run some errands and get some things that we needed (see my Old Navy haul 2 posts before this one). But, because we were out of the house, things at the house that normally get done on Monday didn't get done. So, here I am trying to finish two days of chores in one day.

Thankfully it is not as stressful at home. I got to finish my morning coffee, hear my girls giggle while we were playing this morning, and eat lunch with them. Those are great benefits and a reason I am happy to not be working in a pharmacy today, the day after a holiday.