I love contests!

This week I decided to do something along the lines of this…

I’m giving away TWO copies to TWO random winners! The same rules apply from last week – Leave a comment and join my newsletter! If you’ve already signed up for my newsletter, that is awesome – please leave a comment! Be sure to include your name and email address (once again, if you want to avoid spammers, leave it like this: erynnmangum-@-gmail.com).

In other news, I have no other news. 🙁 I have spent most of my days on the couch or at my desk trying to make my February 1st deadline. So, life hasn’t been too exciting lately.

Today is a cold, cloudy day that looks like it wants to snow so badly, but it’s not. So sad!

What have you guys been up to the last few days? Anything fun?

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My church has been spending the last few weeks in Luke. I have to confess something – I never tend to go toward the gospels when it comes to my daily reading. I love Psalms, I love the New Testament letters, I love Isaiah.

But, oh wow, is Luke amazing!

We’ve been especially studying Mary in the last few weeks, since she is one of the main players in the first few chapters. Scholars think she was in junior high when the angel told her that God picked her to be the mother of His Son. She was dirt poor, engaged, and in those days, a woman who got pregnant out of wedlock could be dragged to the middle of the town and beaten as an example to everyone else.

And yet, Mary only says, “May it be done to me according to your word.” She goes and visits her relative, Elisabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. And then Mary sings this amazing song of praise.

Praise. When she could have been and probably was ridiculed and humiliated for being about 13 or 14, unmarried and pregnant.

Worship. When she was not only having to deal with having a baby and all the worry that goes along with that, but this wasn’t just any baby. This was God’s Son! Talk about pressure!

Needless to say, I’ve been feeling convicted. This girl who was ten years younger than me has been putting me to shame. The smallest thing happens in my life and what do I do? Worry. Fret. Pace around all anxiously while I forget that God is God.

And I am not.

So, I’m going to take a few lessons from Mary. Hard times, good times, sad times and ecstatically happy times, I want to respond with praise and worship.

Pastor Mark said last week that the best way to overcome worry is with worship. Because God is good all the time. And He has a plan that He’s working out. All the time. So I will worship.

Will you join me? 🙂

Yesterday was my grandmother’s birthday (and yes, before you start counting, I think that between me, Jon and our combined families, we have every single month covered – some doubled and tripled up!). She and my mom flew in last night and Nama is going to stay with them for a while.

I’m so glad! I know everyone thinks their grandma is the best grandma ever, but seriously. Mine is definitely the best. 🙂 She’s hilariously funny. She tells some of the best stories ever. Some of my favorite memories are tied to her and my grandpa. We have some of the greatest conversations – she’s so full of Godly wisdom about marriage and families and has lots of great advice and recipes. I love her so much!

So, I’m excited to hang out with her this week. And she brought my favorite stuff in the whole word (her homemade pear preserves!!!) with her. Jon and I finished off a jar of that in two days. It’s that good.

We are going to celebrate my mom and grandma’s birthdays tonight and I’m pretty excited about the gifts we got them. I love giving gifts. It’s one of my favorite parts of Christmas. I love trying to figure out what they would like and then seeing the look on their face when they open it. Like, for example, I already know what I’m getting Jon for his birthday (and I won’t post it here because he reads this blog on occasion. Probably to make sure I’m not telling all our secrets. 🙂 )

Tomorrow, me and two of my sweet friends are throwing a baby shower for another one of our friends (I cannot believe we’re old enough for babies!). They came over and helped me bake enough cupcakes to feed a small army today. My whole house smells like cake and icing (no complaints here!).

I wanted to put up a few pictures that I haven’t put up yet. These are of Josh and Lily when they came to visit a few weeks ago. I think you’ll be able to pick out their personalities based on these. 🙂 Also, my sister-in-law has started a home business making the most adorable little baby bows. These, though, are my personal favorites of the bunch. 😉

Which reminds me, if any of you have businesses that you run online, be sure to leave the web address in the comments section! I’d love to help support you guys any way I can. 🙂

Kody meeting Lily for the first time. I love this picture!

A better shot 🙂

Can we say “mischievous smile”?

Doing what Josh loves best…Running!

Ashlee’s handiwork…aren’t they too cute? 🙂

Thank you so much for praying for my family! This past week has been hard and teary, but filled with sweet memories nonetheless. We got home late Tuesday night and I worked most of the day on Wednesday, so this is the first opportunity I’ve had to catch up on here.

The funeral was simple, filled with fun stories and centered around Christ, which are all things I’d say about my grandpa too. So, it fit Tapa perfectly. My mom stayed back with my grandmother to get things settled there and she and Nama will be flying back here tomorrow night. So, I’m looking forward to some time with my grandmother.

And today, is a very special woman’s birthday as well.

She’s laughed with me, cried with me, traveled with me and played with me. She’s where I get my awful stubbornness and my blonde-ish hair. She’s got an awesome sense of humor and shares my love of romantic comedies and shopping.

I’m talking about my mom. She’s my business manager, my confidant and my friend. She’s the first person I go to for advice and hard as I try, I can never keep secrets from her. I love giggling over stupid movies with her, going out for “quick” shopping trips that end up lasting all day with her and calling her with a brief question about dinner and we end up talking for an hour.

Mom is always singing random songs that she only knows half the words to and she’s got one of the best voices I’ve ever heard. She’s quick with the hugs and rarely calls any of her kids by our names – instead, we’re “sweetie” and “honey”.

She’s the bestest Mom in the world.

And, she sends me emails like this after a long, hard, emotional week for us and her especially:

I love you, Mom. You always know how to cheer me up! Happy birthday!

James William Terry was a doctor, an influential member of the Christian Businessman Association, a Bible study leader, loved all things DisneyWorld and had a knack for making the best milkshakes ever.

More importantly, he was a son, a brother, a father and my grandfather. He loved my grandmother and he loved his kids and grandkids. When I was little, he would tell me every time they visited that he loved me and he was praying for my future husband.

I’m so glad that Jon got to meet Tapa.

Most importantly, though, he was a Christian. Everyone around him knew how much he loved Jesus. Next, they found out how much he loved his wife and then the person meeting my grandfather would be quizzed about their priorities. Tapa was a doctor during business hours, but a missionary and a marriage counselor 24/7. In a small town in Missouri, Tapa helped start a citywide prayer breakfast that ended up drawing over 1500 people.

He retired early and he and my grandma traveled and visited grandkids. Nama and Tapa spoiled us rotten and we loved every minute we got to spend with them. For a couple of years, they would come for a week in the summer and stay in a short-term furnished apartment and me and my siblings would each get to spend a day alone with them. We loved it.

A little less than ten years ago, Tapa started forgetting things. First, it was little things like people’s names. Then, it was bigger things like where he left his wallet. Finally, it was essential things like talking and walking. These last ten years have been the hardest for my grandma, my mom and her siblings, the in-laws and the grandkids. Tapa had Alzheimer’s.

Some of the sweetest and hardest lessons I’ve learned about marriage, love and Christ have come from watching Nama and Tapa – both growing up and over these last few years. Nama has taught me more about the selfless love of Christ than she’ll ever know.

Today, my grandpa finally got to meet the Savior that he loved and served. Face to face. He’s whole again – he’s no longer confused, he’s no longer wordless. In fact, I bet he’s singing the praises of His Creator right now. Tapa always loved to sing.

I can’t wait to see him again. I can’t wait for the day when we can have another long conversation and an even longer hug. I can’t wait to tell him all about how I grew up out of my awkward teen years, how I met Jon, and how he was exactly the man that Tapa prayed for.

God has a purpose in everything, even in something as horrific as Alzheimer’s. He has a plan that He is working, even through years of sadness, through a decade of tears.

I’ve been missing you for ten years, Tapa. Words can’t describe the joy I have because you are home and happy and healthy again. I love you.

Oh death, where is your victory? Oh death, where is your sting? But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

My six-month-old niece and two year-old nephew are in town this week, as well as my brother-in-law and sister-in-law (Tommy and Ashlee), and I’m realizing a lot about kids. So, for those of you out there who are in the same place in life as me (a MNK – Married No Kids) or for those in another situation (a SNK – Single No Kids), I have compiled a list of Things I Never Knew About Living With Children. Just for future reference.

Things I Never Knew About Living With Children:

1) Crumbly things exist.
2) Babies’ laughs have to be the best sound in the whole world.
3) Never leave a half-finished blog on a laptop near a two year-old who likes to push buttons.
4) Kody loves babies and toddlers.
5) Kids require all kinds of furniture. Bouncy seats, high chairs, car seats…
6) Josh singing to Elmo is hilarious.
7) Toilet paper doesn’t get to stay on the roller clip thingy. Apparently, it’s a fun hallway decoration.
8) Lily’s giggle has to be the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.
9) Kids are so energetic! My hat is off to moms around the world.
10) I love my niece and nephew.

Tommy, Ashlee and Jon are waiting for me to start a movie, so I’ll sign off for now. I’ll put up pics of the kids and the fun we’re having soon! I’d put them up tonight, but my camera is the room where Josh is sleeping. Hope you all are having a wonderful evening!

Tomorrow our second set of company in the last few weeks comes. Yay! I can’t wait to see Tommy, Ashlee, Josh and Lily! 🙂

So, I’m cleaning today. And working this afternoon. And trying to figure out meals for this coming week. I love it when family and friends come in town!

My friends Kaitlin and Eitan who stayed with us a few weeks ago are traveling today, so if you think of it, please be praying for safe travel! Also for Tommy and Ashlee who are starting their trip this afternoon. Lots of traveling prayers! 🙂

My fall has been busy! But, despite all the busyness, I’ve still found time for this:

CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!

Yups, you read that right! I always start listening to Christmas music starting October 1st. Every single year! It’s one of my all-time favorite traditions. It never fails – I can be having one of the worst days, I get in my car and the Christmas music turns on and I get the biggest grin on my face. I love it!

I listened to two in particular all growing up so they have some nostalgic memories attached to them. It’s just not Christmas without Steven Curtis Chapman and Bryan Duncan!

Bing Crosby has to have like one of the all-time best Christmas albums ever. And one of the best movies. White Christmas is classic and if you haven’t watched (and poked fun) at that movie, then go get a cup of hot chocolate, a blanket and settle in for a good time.

And you know me. 🙂 I had to include Elvis! Elvis crooning “It’s Christmas Time” is how I start out my Christmas season every year! Gotta love it!

I’m working on an iMix in iTunes so you guys can listen to Christmas music along with me. I’m doing my best to spread holiday cheer!

I think I just made a new record for my longest blog title to date. Yay me!

Today is Monday which means that tonight is Monday Night Football. But, not just any Monday Night Football. No, tonight the Vikings play.

Apparently, this is cause for celebration, ecstatic phone calls to people who care (meaning not me), eating Lucky Charms for breakfast (uh, ok), and happily bouncing around the house while recounting stories of Viking games of old.

Jon loves the Vikings.

Me? By family tradition I have to say the Cowboys (although, Dad is growing colder and colder toward his childhood team). Really, I wish I were a Packers fan. This is why:

Is there a cheesier hat for the NFL? Or a funnier hat? I love these! I really do wish I were a die-hard Packer fan just so I could wear this hat. They call Packer fans the “Cheese Heads”. Ha! I tell people I’m a Cowboys fan by default and they call me names my mother doesn’t let me say.

Maybe I’ll convert to the Packers. And there’s no better time than now because the Vikings play the Packers tonight. And what better way to drive my wonderful husband crazy than to root for the other team?

Marriage just gets more and more fun!

Good morning!

These last few days one of my best friends and her husband have been in town visiting, so I’ve been soaking up the time with them. Sorry for the delay in posting!

It is officially October! I absolutely love this month! In Albuquerque, we have something called the International Balloon Fiesta and it is a really huge deal here. Thousands of hot air balloon for a whole week and it starts on Saturday.

Here’s a picture of two of my favorite balloons:

Aren’t they adorable? I just love them! I’ve been going to the Balloon Fiesta since I was a little kid and it’s still SO much fun!

My brother-in-law, sister-in-law and their two kids, Josh and Lily, are coming in town for part of the Fiesta. I can’t wait to see two-year old Josh’s reaction to the balloons! Lily is only a few months old, so she probably won’t appreciate it as much, but you never know!

So, I’ve been stalking blogs like Money Saving Mom for a while now and have been quite convicted about the grocery bill that Jon and I rack up every month. I have been trying to cut it down for the last several months and have failed miserably every time! Not only could we use the extra money in savings, but it also frees up more for us to give if we do better in that area. I think that’s the one place we go over every month in our budget.

I figure if this woman can feed her family (I think she has three kids) for $40 a week, Jon and I should definitely be able to do that! I’m going to write it here so maybe I’ll be more proactive in sticking to it if I know you guys know how much I’m supposed to spend. 🙂

So, welcome to October! Do you have anything fun planned for this month?

Here something you did not need to know about me and Jon: We love carpet.

Yes, yes, I’m quite aware that it is completely and utterly out of style. I’ve heard about its allergenic-nature, its propensity to stain and how some people just can’t stand the look of it.

But, I love it. I love getting out of bed in the morning and your toes just sinking into the nice warm fuzzies right there.

For the last almost-year, Jon and I have been living in a house with zero carpet. We have one 5×7 area rug that is in the living room (and truth be told, was incredibly cheap and therefore not comfortable). Everywhere else is tile. And it’s beautiful tile. It’s easy to take care of and it was super nice when Kody was being potty-trained.

When I get up in the morning though, and my feet hit icy cold rock…Or when Kody is shedding like crazy and instead of the fur just staying where it was so I can vacuum it up, it floats across the floor avoiding the vacuum… Or how I can vacuum, sweep and mop and twenty minutes later, there’s again an invisible coating of dust on the floor…

I’m SO ready for carpet.

We’ve been having some mis-communication with our installer, but it does look like we’re getting carpet put in today and tomorrow. Which means that my house is a complete and utter disaster. Everything is either stacked in the bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room or in the garage. And it has to stay like this for tonight and tomorrow.

Oy.

I told Jon we’re putting our coupons we’ve been saving for dinner out to good use tonight. AND on top of that wonderful news (I love eating out!), I also have a coupon for a buy-one-get-one free at Seattle’s Best Coffee inside Borders! Can we say a Hot Chocolate Trio (bestest hot chocolate in the whole world)? It’s been the most perfect weather for hot chocolate lately – cold, cold, cold! We have officially entered long-sleeve weather. I’m so happy!

Jon and I got some pictures taken with Kody the other day by our fabulous photographer, Sarah Eastwood. And she said I could share them with you! The ones of just me are for my new author pictures. I think I like number 10 the best for that. What do you think? Number 21 has mine and Jon’s vote for our Christmas picture this year. And please excuse Kody. He looks goofy in most of them. 🙂 And the ones where he appears to be attacking me? I think he thought “Smile Kody!” to mean, “It’s time to wrestle!”

Here’s the link! Be sure to let me know what you think okay? 🙂