"Prize winner of Frisco Texas"

Have you ever seen this movie(based on a true story)? Tish and I saw it a while back and really liked it. Even though it was one of those movies that sorta stress you out since it is so real (not peachy keen). It was about an extraordinary women back in the 50's, doing everything possible to keep her family of 6 a happy one. Her husband had a drinking habit and tended to waste their money away. So she came up a way for her and her kids to be able to afford the basics. She entered and won different contests (popular back then) out of magazines such as Reader Digest. She would win cash and cool prizes that were very useful or could be sold. She did this for years to make ends meet...

Why am I talking about an indy film that is about 3-4 years old? Because something really cool happened to me this Christmas that reminded me of this flick.

You see, Tish and I have been very limited on cash flow in the past or so due to medical issues, pregnancy, losing money on our last house, and etc. If it was not for help from family and friends, I don't even know how we would have made it. Because we wanted to spend as much as we can to give a good Christmas, we even talked about not getting each other gifts. We ended up setting up a budget of $30 instead. Even though it is hard to buy with that amount, Tish and I agree that the gifts usually are more thoughtful that way. Besides, Zander's birth is the best present any of us can ever asked for.

Fast forward to Christmas Eve, when T and I decided to exchange gifts at the hospital. We were both very pleased with what each other did for the $ amount. I got some really cool shirts, a pair of nice slippers that I desperately needed, a large memory card, and other nick nack things. The value of my gifts were definitely over $30... but Tish watched for sales, signed up for and combined store coupons to knock over $20 off. T is quite a bargain shopper I tell ya.

After Grayson opened all of his presents on Christmas day, Tish told me that she had forgot to give me something(s) the night before. Not thinking much of it, I awaited for her return from upstairs. Appeared was a huge santa sack containing 2 big items I have wanted for a while: A 10 piece Cuisuine Art Cookware and a premium Bluetooth earpiece! They value over $200!

Since T does not have an income, I was boggled by how she can get all of this without me finding out...Come to find out (through a very cute story board created by Tish), T had entered a contest/drawing through the Dallas Morning News. She won a XBOX 360, sold it for cash and bought all of these goodies. She did all this while she was 8 months prego! I was almost in tears after knowing all the trouble she had gone through to give me a good Christmas. She said the reason for it was that I never buy anything for myself... how nice huh!?

I am truly blessed. I am blessed with a amazing wife, a dear friend, a wonderful mother, and a "Prize Winner of Frisco, Texas"!