BLACK FRIDAY (and other things against my religion!)

Well, if you read the last post about Part I of our Thanksgiving adventures you already know that I have a Black Friday story to tell... or I guess you could have assumed that I had something to say about Black Friday from the title of my post...

Or you could have assumed from said title that I had nothing to do with Black Friday since it was apparently one of the things against my religion...

BUT... alas... I did it! And theoretically I did go against my very strict belief that Black Friday is something to be avoided at all costs! It's funny how when you become a parent all of the things you always thought you'd never do... or even said you'd never do... you end up DOING! And part of you might even end up liking it...

Or maybe not...

I can't say that I enjoyed Black Friday madness... kind of like I can't say that I exactly enjoy grocery shopping with two kids...

And it's not the two kids that is the problem... they are gems... it's those dang carts! How in the heck are you supposed to do it? We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies... and it wasn't even a big trip!

But there are things that I always said I'd never do, like let my child buy/wear and enjoy character apparel... like Mickey Mouse... Elmo... Toy Story and the like. And while I do prefer other clothing... the joy on Caden's little face when he sees his new Mickey tee is worth all of the inner-turmoil I feel when I buy them! :) His joy is kind of like mine when I pulled this...

...out of the oven a few weekends ago! OH MY LANTA! Y'all this is SOOOO SOOOO good. And it's a Paula Deen recipe so you know that there are LOTS of religions out there that would be against this delectable dish... hello butter, and cheese... and canned biscuits for crying out loud! Google Savory Monkey Bread and enjoy the deliciousness, if it's not against your religion that is...

You know that grocery store picture? The dilemma of how to do it with two kids... well I am sure so many moms out there just say... Moby Wrap... Baby Bjorn... strap 'em on... and do it! Well, I am here to tell you that that is also against everything I know to be true... Oh my aching back and barely there ab-muscles... it is just not happening for more than 10 minutes at a time! Hello 17 pounder!! :)

And after looking at this picture... the other thing that should be highly against all that is sacred in this world is ME taking a picture of myself... I make this terrible face... you see it? Kind of resembles Roger Rabbit... yikes!

Okay, but really... all joking aside, Black Friday wasn't quite as bad as I had originally judged it to be. If you scope our your merch, get you a game plan and put on your big girl panties and of course take a handsome protector with you... all should be okay!

And it also helps if you have a hilariously energetic cousin who is doing the SAME thing to text pictures back and forth with! Thank you Boozy, Shannon and Terry for the laughs!! It made our standing in line for an hour MUCH more enjoyable!!

So the story goes something like this... we arrived at the Wal-Marts at around 8:45... secured us a spot in the Chick fil a parking lot... thank you for being closed on Thanksgiving! And sauntered on up to the door. Upon entry we got us a handy dandy store map that confirmed that our previously determined location for the merch we were looking for was correct. And off we went...

HOLD UP...

Wait a minute...

There was already a line... and a pretty hefty one at that... so we assumed the position... with 55 minutes to go we were hopeful!

We were gonna get that power wheel and 12" bike if it was the last thing we did! Of course, the entire ride to the Walmarts I was praying... "Lord, help us to be a light to those around us tonight. I pray that you would protect us for the crazy coupon ladies I've learned about on TV. Please let no one be packing heat and if they are I pray that they want a Wii and not a power wheel. Also, Lord, please keep Justin's emotions in check. I will be forever grateful for this. Amen!"

So I felt the peace of the Lord... and I continued to remind Justin to take deep breaths... and that "a power wheel is NEVER worth a life!!"

Of course Albi had texted to make sure we were alright before we had even made it into the store. The folks back at home I am pretty sure were holding a prayer vigil as a way of channeling their heightened anxiety about our Black Friday adventure at the Walmarts!

We were surrounded in line by lovely people who did not speak English which did take the pressure off of changing anyone's life that night... phew! It was enough that I was just there... standing... and not crying!

As time went by we were getting more and more psyched for the big event. At 9:55 my stomach started to drop... I knew the chaos was close... and I could see the concern on Justin's face as line jumpers were preparing their moves...

Oh Lord... Justin needs you...

And it was 10... and we were off... slow at first... then we were "let in" to the lawn and garden center... of course as we were following the rules a few folks decided to not... and well that left Justin with no choice but to let off a little steam...

"They are cutting! Those people aren't going the right WAY!"

I am speed walking behind him chanting, "Take a deep breath... it will all be okay. This is fun. Our kids will have a great Christmas regardless of this night."

Oh bless my heart!

Then I got my marching orders from the boss, "I'll go this way, you go that way. Get the bike!"

And so I was off... but alas, no 12" bikes. So I decided to chat up one of the ladies who was also looking at the bikes... asking her if she thought a 16" would be too big... another non-English speaker... shoot! So with a smile and a Merry Christmas I was off to find Justin.

I spotted him and he informed me that he didn't get the jeep but was able to secure an ATV... score! That will work! Right?!

Then on our way out I see some vTech lap tops.... everyone was grabbing them so I figured I'd ask how much they were... "$10... a hell of a deal," they said!

Well, alrighty then... I'll take two!

So with our two laptops and our ATV we were in line to get out ... and we spotted a bike... a cute little bike... 12" bike... Justin said, "grab it!"

So I did and proceeded to carry it through the crowded store WAY past all the people were waiting in the long check out lines... to the other side where the less crowded lines were! Suckas! We were Black Friday pros by this point!

When we got to the check out line and rung up the bike we realized that it wasn't on sale... HMPH! No way man, we are Black Friday conquistadors... we aren't gonna take no regular priced item from nobody... put it back!

And so we walked to the car... with an ATV... and two laptops... turned the car on... and the clock read 10:25...

Now that is a record!

On our way home I was grateful to have survived and Justin was ready to go to Target...thus proving the popular theory that opposites truly do attract!

Until next year... may your Fridays be any color but black!