Shopping For Fun

They say nothing cheers a women up like a good shopping trip, and this is very true for me. We had planned to spend some time at the zoo for our family day today. With the wind blowing at almost 100km an hour in some places down here though it was too cold to go see any animals. They were probably all inside hiding anyways. So we tried to console the kids by going shopping. Aslynn looked up at us with her big blue eyes wide open and took a deep breath: "Shopping shopping shopping!" Aslynn & I love this past-time, as long as it doesn't get too close to nap time. Micah didn't really mind either. The boys get to tag along for fun.

First we went stroller hunting because ours is gimped. Mark said, "Look, it fits!" one too many times when we were camping. Thanks for the van, God. After only two stores and a few stray kids we headed to WalMart. Post-Christmas shopping at WalMart is great. No lines. After a quick lunch and play time for the kids & I and a meeting for Mark we headed to Sears for a few things. I had a gift card from when Aslynn was a baby. It was about to expire. She'll be two in March. (I just don't get out shopping enough - that and I've received some awesome hand-me-downs! Thanks!)


So, Sears. I guess I forgot how to spend money. Apparently it was their big warehouse sale. Micah and Aslynn ran around with a suitcase and push-popper toy (I think the whole store heard them). We picked out a bunch of clothes for them and weeded it down to the necessities for the next year. It was fun! I got to the till, and after some slight aggravation with receipts and returns and what-not, they rang in the bill and POOF! There was more money to spend!! (Sounds like a VISA commercial.) Seriously. Everything was on sale but one item. So I left the kids with Mark, picked out some more clothes and brought them to the counter. Presto! More money left!! More sales! SO I sent Mark to pick out a couple of items to top it off so we could get out of there (I told him we'd only be a few minutes before we went in). He got a couple of things and then took the kids to the bathroom. I rang the clothes through and ... again, they were on sale! The person at the till finally grabbed some pants that had just been returned and topped off the gift card. Cha-ching! It was almost like that IKEA commercial where the woman comes running out of the store shouting "Honey, start the car! START THE CAR! WOHOOOOO!" It was so much fun!

- Faith

I guess y'all see how God provides for pastors sometimes. It was free money to begin with, and it just kept stretching and stretching - anyone for some loaves and fish?

- Mark