Thursday Thirteen Thanksgiving!

I started to write this last night, but Sam was so grumpy that I couldn't get anything done. And I am glad I had to wait because I am just giddy today and over flowing with thanks and Praise to God for his goodness! Now I have to list it.
1. I am thankful to God for His goodness and mercy and love and answered prayers. He always provides what we need when we need it. I know, sometimes bad things happen, but God can turn them for good, and I believe that all our cars dying over and over and over this year have been for our good. Character issues, probably!
2. I am so thankful for my friend Sarah. She brings me so much joy and laughter and support. I don't think I've ever had so much to laugh about since in the last year. Thank you, God for putting Sarah in my life!
3. I am so thankful for my friend Jody. She is always, always there for me and I have the deepest feelings of being rooted in family with her in my life. I know she'd fight for me even if I didn't know about it. And Jody, I know some of the the help you've done without me knowing it, Thank You! Thank you, God, for giving Jody's friendship to me.
4. I am so thankful for my friend, Jeannie. Jeannie brings me peacefulness and calmness. We laugh and get crazy all the time, but there is something about Jeannie that lets me know that I don't have to be worked up, God will make things work. Maybe maturity, I don't know, but I feel more grounded with her in my life. Thank you, God for bring Jeannie into my life.
(pause to stop the crying I've been doing since I started!)
5. I am so thankful for my friend Sheree. She has been a rock in my life for 10+ years. She is like my sister that chose me. And you can't replace that. Thank you, God for Sheree in my life!
6. I am really thankful that my husband's parents moved 3 blocks away. (no, they didn't move out of our house, the were 3 hours away) I am glad because we have been able to help each other out and it is so nice to have family near by. I have really been blessed.
7. I am thankful for my husband. He drives me crazy, we miscommunicate all the time, but he loves me no matter what. And we are equally yoked. And he's gullible. Makes it fun to tease.
8. I am thankful for all of my children. The bring me the most pain and most joy of all. I use this blog to laugh at all the horrible and stupid things they do, but really they are such wonderful children. And I am blessed by them. I know they will all serve God.
9. I am thankful for my home. I have a love-hate relationship with my house, but recently we were looking at not having it, but God stepped in and answered our prayers. Miraculously the mortgage company changed our rates and kept the 2yr ARM from bring our mortgage up so high we couldn't pay it! It wasn't even a refinance! We just said we couldn't handle that payment and they said "Let us rework it" and they did! It isn't even adjustable anymore.
10. I asked some friends to pray for a friend, earnestly and strongly without knowing why, the other day. And this morning I found that half of her needs were met yesterday! I am thankful for praying friends. I know they would do that for me, too.
11. I am thankful for traditions. We have our Thanksgiving traditions, and we'll be eating them today. Like Lefse! A Norwegian delicacy! OK, not a delicacy, but so delicious!
12. I am thankful for my parents. My parents are both still alive, and they are really supportive. They think we are nuts for some of our beliefs, but they have never disowned us, even for having 7 kids and homeschooling like freaks.
13. I am also so thankful that my dad, who isn't normally all that thoughtful, asked his sister to let me have their mom's nativity set. He knows I don't have anything from either of his parents. And he knows that the nativity set is something that I would cherish even without it coming from my grandparents. I am just blown away by that. Maybe I can part with my broken Christmas ornament now.
Dang it! I'm crying again!
There are more of you who read my blog that I know and love in real life, and I am glad to have you in my life, too. I don't know when I have ever been so richly blessed with friends.
And I forgot to say I am thankful for Quelf, which we shall play today with unsuspecting relatives! Yeehaw!
I can't stop crying!

Wednesday Contests

Encyclopedia Kevinannica is offering to give away a lot of books, videos and music! He is showing some of the books already. They are looking like some great books. Ends December 24th!
An American in Canada is having a fun giveaway! Go check out the Christmas goodies you can win and tell her what your favorite Christmas treat is! Ends November 30.
OhAmanda.com is getting in the Christmas spirit as she prepares for a big Thanksgiving with family and she wants to spread Christmas cheer. She is offering an opportunity to win one of two Christmas CDs and all she wants in exchange is for you to share what gets you in the Christmas mood. Seeing all the Christmas lights, going shopping, and drinking lots of spiced cider gets me in the mood! Ends November 25.
Laura has a Review & Giveaway: Booples 2: Yikity Blar DVD (2 winners). Ends November 23rd.
Living The Dream Giveaway! You can enter to win a LTDChix tee. Ends November 26.
Our Blessed Arrows is giving away 2 pair of Pedoodles shoes! Ends November 25, two ways to enter!
My two boys is giving away a super cute wooden doctor set from Moolka. Ends November 22.
Apron A Day is giving away a sweet Carolyn's Kitchen apron and gloves set. Ends November 24.
An Island Life and Boon are giving away a stuffed animal organizer. Ends November 28.

Christmas Contest!

Isn't this messenger bag too trendy? I know that Kaytlin would love it! Skimbaco is having daily deals at their store. For 12 days you will find a different deal each day. So check them out every day starting November 23.

Sunday Contests

Whew, I've been out of commission with a migrain. But here are a few new contests for a Sunday afternoon!
Sophistiche has a Grand Opening + Diaper & Wipe Pouch Giveaway, ends November 25.

Mommy Cracked is having a Christmas In Dixie Giveaway Week! From December 3-9.

MumsTheWurd is giving away a gift Certificate to Small Concept's online boutique. Retail value: $150 Email entry - answer a question. Ends Nov. 23.

Hostess with the Mostest is giving away a set of Sprinkles Invitations Personalized Holiday Cards. Retail value: $100. Ends Nov. 20.

Sling giveaways!

I would love to have this adorable sling to carry Samuel around this winter! The Domestic Diva is giving away a sling of your choice. This sling is made by ModMum. These slings are reversible, too! Just head over to The Domestic Diva and enter for a chance to win! Contest ends November 21, 2007. Winner will be announced Thanksgiving Day, November 22.

Mamanista is having the ultimate giveaway for babywearing moms! Head over, before November 26th, to enter to win a red silk flocking pouch sling ($64 value).

MetroWrap, your choice of Fleur-de-lis or Angel Wings at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Monday's contests

My Two Boys is having a fabulous stocking stuffer giveaway.

Only Mod*Mom would have such a great giveaway as this mod chair! Ends

December 5.




On Coochicoos: Win Skip*Hop's Newest Diaper Bags. Win the cool new City Chic bag from Skip Hop. One bag to Facebook members, and two bags to email subscribers.





Personalized "Cookies for Santa" ceramic plate, Christmas burp cloth, and personalized holiday picture frame. At Chic Mama. Nov. 12. Visit this giveaway.





Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion 4oz bottle. At Keeping My Fingers Crossed by Nov. 16 Visit this giveaway.



Set of holiday tags of winner's choice. From Cool Stuff con Queso. Nov. 14.

Gift certificate to Ringobaby for CD cover holiday cards from Cool Mom Picks. Ends Nov 12. Visit this giveaway

I Am The Boss (ball pit). From Goodyblog. Ends Nov. 13. Visit this giveaway.

flattenme custom children's book. flattenme blog. Comment on post with a potty training tip. Deadline: Nov. 30, 2007 Visit this contest.

Baby blanket/poncho combo by Super Natural Baby. At teensygreen. Nov. 15. Visit this giveaway.

Gift Certificate for Amazon.com for $50 from Mama Speaks. Email entry. Nov. 12. Visit this giveaway

Hold Fast onesie from Sailor Jerry. At Mama Speaks. Email entry. Nov. 12 Visit this giveaway

Large sampler pack by Disquieting Designs. Subu, inc. November 15th Visit this giveaway

Sunday Contests

At Solutions for a Busy Mom you can Win a FREE Family Manager Makeover With The SolutionDIVA! Leave comments (25+ words) on as many posts as you want for an entry each. Ends November 14th.

A couple more Saturday contests

Today's Momma has several contests running. A couple are national and several are for Spokane.

Win a New Mom Skin Care Set from vedaPURE
A new Mama really, really, REALLY deserves a bit of pampering in the weeks following the birth of a baby. TodaysMama is giving away a vedaPURE New Mom Gift Set valued at $185 that includes Soothe Body Cream, Supple Stretch Mark Cream, Purify Detoxifying Body Cream and Relax Body Cream. This set is preservative and chemical free skin-care for postpartum moms especially formulated to balance hormonally challenged skin and sleep deprived bodies. How great is that?!

Win $100 from Kangaroodle
Want to kick start your gift shopping? Need a new holiday outfit for your little one? Need the perfect toy for under the tree? Wondering where to get your holiday photo cards? Wonder no more - we’re giving away a $100 Gift Certificate to Kangaroodle! How’s that for a happy holiday?

I don't see dates on them, I assume they disappear when they are done???

What is this?

Memarie Lane is giving away handcrafted jewelry! Ends Nov. 16.

Scribbit's Saturday giveaway is jewelry, too! Dreamin of beadin Saturday giveaway. She always finds the most amazing giveaways each and every week. I want her contacts! LOL No, I just want the prizes. Enter before Monday.
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Shannon's Bloggy giveaways is giving away TWO Kodak Easy share printers, ends Nov. 14.
Also giving away the printer is Props and Pans. Ends Midnight, Nov. 18. Visit this giveaway.

Gymboree Gift Card. $500. Ends Nov. 30. Visit this giveaway.

My Bedbugs "Let's Play" DVD by 5 Minutes for Mom, Ends Nov. 25. Visit this giveaway. And MetroWrap your choice of Fleur-de-lis or Angel Wings. Ends Nov. 30. Visit this giveaway.

Your Baby Can Read DVDs and flash cards by Kids Birthday Fun Review Ends Nov. 15. Visit this giveaway

Bunny Hop preschool game. Goodyblog Nov. 11. Visit this giveaway

Set of eight vintage-style party invitations and envelopes by Goosey Press, by Peppers and Polliwogs. Email entry. Ends Nov. 16. Visit this giveaway

Nerf N-Strike Disk Shot. Pinks and Blues' Mama Loves Giveaways. Ends 5 p.m. Nov. 15. Visit this giveaway

Parent Product Reviews is giving away Trendy Tadpole tee (super cute!), Snowman book/CD, a Details Men’s Style Manual and a Thou Shalt Laugh DVD. Nov. 23. Visit this giveaway.

Baby Kaed diaper bag or Mom 4 Life gift certificate. At 5 Minutes for Mom Ends Nov. 25, Visit this giveaway.

Avalisa Rug or Memory Game. From Mod*Mom. Ends Dec. 5. Visit this giveaway.

Danger Rangers DVD- Mission 547: Safety Rules. Multiple winners. From The Opinionated Parent. Ends Midnight MST, Nov. 12. Visit this giveaway.

Safe Sippy BPA-free (stainless steel and polypropylene) sippy cup. At The Soft Landing. Ends Nov. 16. Visit this giveaway.

A pair of iPhones with pre-paid AT&T Service. From Real Simple. Ends Nov. 24. Visit this giveaway.

Trendy Tadpole your choice of T-Shirt. (3 winners) At Contest for Moms Mom Blog. Ends Nov. 12. Visit this giveaway. I love Trendy Tadpole!

Leapfrog Leapster handheld system plus a Sonic the Hedgehog Leapster game. At Parent Product Reviews. Ends 5 p.m. PST Nov. 21. Visit this giveaway.

Bib by DaBib. From The Full Mommy. Ends Nov. 14. Visit this giveaway.

Smart Heels heel protectors. Two winners. From Mama Loves Giveaways. Ends Nov. 13. Visit this giveaway.

Karen Neuburger Mommy Mouse print PJ's. Two weekly winners for seven weeks. From Classy Mommy. Ends Nov. 10. Visit this giveaway.

Skimbaco twin duvet and pillowcase set. At Boston Mamas. Nov. 30. Visit this giveaway.

Long-sleeve Sweet Cheeks birthday tee for 1- to 3-year-old from Avannabel Baby. From Lipstick to Crayons. Ends Nov. 12. Visit this giveaway.

Cocoons sunglasses (fit over regular glasses). Retail value: $40. Woman's Day magazine. Complete entry form. Deadline: Noon EST Dec. 19. Visit this giveaway. You can enter Woman's Day contests every day.

Puj Go Sling Baby Carrier. Retail value: $48. From Mod*Mom. Comment on post with attachment parenting story and favorite Puj print. Ends Nov. 28. Visit this giveaway. Also The Daring Book for Girls or The Dangerous Book For Boys. Ends Nov. 19. Visit this giveaway.

Warm Biscuit Bedding Company gift certificate. At the Superdumb Supervillain, a super blog! Ends Nov. 18. Visit this giveaway.

Rachael Ray 10-piece stainless steel cookware sets. Found at Everyday With Rachael Ray. Ends Nov. 29. Visit this giveaway.

The Baker's Catalogue gift card. Retail value: $1,000 grand prize, five $100 prizes.From The Baker's Catalogue (King Arthur Flour). Ends Dec. 9. Visit this giveaway.

This one blows me away! A selection of Happy Heiny's printed Pocket Diapers, Heiny Huggers, Pocket Trainers and extra Suffins and Micro Terry Inserts. Retail value: $200. Woman's Day magazine! Ends Noon EST Dec. 19. Visit this giveaway.

Thursday's Contests

Laura at Laura William's Musings is giving away this amazing pair of Hepburn earrings from Twisted-Silver. They are a $50 value.
With a name like Twisted-Silver I wouldn't expect to see gold earrings, which is the only color I will wear, but there they are! I like their Mod earrings, too.
Ends November 15.

Mike's Travel Tips is giving away a 3 day/ 2 night vacation. Chose from over 60 cities in the U.S. anytime within the year. This is a contest, so there is a little work to do. Winner will be announced Dec. 1, in time to give it as a gift for Christmas!

Check out my contest column on Momsblogging.com for a large list of contests.