I found this list on the American Family Association reguarding national reatilers and their attitude towards Christmas.  Found it enlightening…

Based on current advertising, below is a list of companies that avoid, ban, or use the term “Christmas” in their advertising.  We will continually update the list, so check back often.

Criteria - AFA reviewed up to four areas to determine if a company was “Christmas-friendly” in their advertising: print media (newspaper inserts), broadcast media (radio/television), website and/or personal visits to the store. If a company’s ad has references to items associated with Christmas (trees, wreaths, lights, etc.), it was considered as an attempt to reach “Christmas” shoppers.

If a company has items associated with Christmas, but did not use the word “Christmas,” then the company is considered as censoring “Christmas.”

Color Code:

Company uses the term “Christmas” on a regular basis, we consider that company Christmas-friendly.

Company refers to Christmas infrequently, or in a single advertising medium, but not in others.

Company may use “Christmas” sparingly in a single or unique product description, but as a company, does not recognize it.

A company may be removed from the “bad” list by providing documentation to AFA.

SPECIAL ALERT! AFA is calling for a “Christmas” boycott of Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic stores.

http://action.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=2147486887

To think 6 months ago Mateo was born!  He is so big and strong! He hasn’t shown any signs of  complications from the meningitis that he had when he was first  born.  Bela is still loving be a big sister!  The only problem we have now is that she loves having him on her lap but he is so big it doesn’t work any more!

We are still searching for our house so keep praying that we find that house for us.

We have had a very busy summer, with our perpetual house hunting, me traveling for work, moving to Bethany, and an active 2 year old, and rambunctious 5 month old.

Last week I took off of work and we headed to Split Rock State Park for a relaxing and fun camping trip.  Bela had a blast with all of the hiking and throwing rocks into Superior, and Mateo is already an outdoors pro with 3 camping trips under his belt in his 5 months.

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We visited 4 state parks in total last week, and had so much fun, that we are going on a quick one nighter this weekend before it gets too cold.

We are working on our summer newsletter, so stay tuned for that.  Thanks for checking in!

P.S.  We just cleaned off our cameras and came across some photos we have not uploaded yet….  You can find them here!

Something we do at our church is an open gym for younger kids! So today was that day. bela had so much she brought her  bike and having so much fun! She also is seeming kinda interested in one of the boys they hold hands and give each other hugs it’s super cute! I feel blessed that we have a place where she can play and not have to worry about the kids really getting in trouble.

Im getting very excited next weekend I get to go to a womens retreat  so rob gets to have the kids all to his lonesome ( He’s going to his mom he will get some help) so pray for me to learn a lot and be okay without my babies!

Just in time for our family camping trip, at 89 days old, Mateo sprung his first tooth! We are in awe how fast we see him growing. Kirstie is feeding him his first serving of baby food as I type.
Bela is helping…

On the housing front, we just submitted an offer on a house that we REALLY like.  Given our track record with offers, we are not getting to hopefull, but the house has been on the market a while, and we are offering asking price, so we are cautiously optimistic…

We will let you know!