Wanna know a secret??

What to write this week?  As I was thinking about that, lots of things came to mind – stories of the 5+ people we have seen come to know the Lord in the last two weeks, an update about all the fun things Kinsley has started doing and saying recently, insights about what the Lord has been teaching me lately – but then it hit me….I want to share a secret with you.  A secret that will help you know me better than most people.  A secret that will help you as you are thinking about what to talk to me about the next time you see me.  A secret that may be something you too deal with.  Are you ready??!!?!

The secret is…..I LOVE BLACK FRIDAY!!!  I think it would seriously count as an addiction.  I love Thanksgiving – spending time with friends and family, good food, being thankful of all the Lord has given, and watching the parade Thanksgiving morning.  But more than all of that, I love Thanksgiving because the day after is BLACK FRIDAY!!!  Want to know how serious this addiction is and how much I love it?

I started researching Black Friday ads mid-October and check daily (if not multiple times a day) to see what retailers have posted new ads.  I have been going Black Friday shopping the last 6 years or so and have managed to get both of our families involved and excited, because you can’t shop alone.  Ed went with me one year but isn’t too keen on it (so he says, but mind you the next year he went out with my brother to Best Buy on his own accord).  Here are the reasons I love Black Friday:

1.  The deals are usually amazing.  On our limited budget and with being the type who likes to get the lowest possible prices for things, I am able to buy more for those I love because I get things cheaper.

2.  I finish our Christmas shopping in one day.  I may have a few things to pick up that don’t go on sale that day, but usually I am done, which Ed loves.

3.  The anticipation and excitement and thrill ride that comes as you try to beat everyone else and get the deals is awesome!!  I am not one of the people that pushes and fights to get things, but I can hold my own!

4.  Because we have gotten our whole family involved, we always have someone else to call (usually in another city and state) that early in the morning to talk about what they are getting, the best deals, the funny things they have seen, etc.

5.  When the sun rises, you feel like you have been up for a whole day.  With how early all the sales are starting now, we may actually be up for a whole day when all is said and done.

6.  It always leaves us with great family memories and fun laughs to share, and promotes bonding like none other.  For instance, my mom and I were in Bass Pro Shops one year buying multiple fishing rods for my dad and I nearly took out a hanging display holding bird feeders because the rods were so tall and I wasn’t paying attention.  I know it was a had to be there moment, but it was quite funny.  Make sure you go with someone – it makes it so much better!

7.  Having gone multiple years now, we have/are figuring out the system to get in and out of stores the quickest way possible.  Cell phones are a must as everyone splits up and looks for everything for everybody with them and calls when you find it.

But, if you are going to go with me, we have to have a list, a system, a plan, a route, etc.  You only buy what is on the list, no browsing for clothes and things that may slow us down (unless it will be quick or we are at the last stores), layout the stores we will go to in what order based on what we need and who is open when, and lastly, HAVE FUN!

What brought this post on?  Wal-Mart released their Black Friday ad last night.  I don’t like to shop at Wal-Mart all the time because they aren’t super coupon friendly and don’t really have sales, but they, as well as Target, have some of the best Black Friday ads.  Some things of interest to me were 600 thread count sheets for $19 (we get a set every year and they are oh so comfortable), appliances for $2-$9 (these make great wedding presents – especially because we have students getting married all the time), fleece sleep pants for $4.50, movies for $2-$9, and a few other things.  Okay, I know I said I mostly buy for others, which is true, but I should get a few things for us too, right?

Here is a picture of Kinsley on Black Friday last year (we ran out to Dick’s Sporting Goods to get kayaks for our summer project).  Black Friday is such a big deal for me I documented it and put it in a scrapbook.

With Kinsley being so big this year, someone will have to stay behind with her so I guess that gives Ed a ticket out of the shopping.

So, now you know something new about me, something a lot of people don’t know.  Please don’t judge, but feel free to ask questions if you want to join in on the fun.

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