Inspiration Sundays & A Winner {Elf Hat}

I was a busy bee lately getting orders completed plus making things for the craft fair that was yesterday. It didn't go as well as I would have liked it to but I did meet some great people!

Since I have tried about 5 craft fairs and can't seem to do as well as I would like to I think I am going to take a break for a while from the fairs and go to some this month and see which ones look busy and try those for next year. Until then I will be crocheting hats for hospitals. I would love to make hats for newborns and cancer patients. I will be keeping track of the hats I donate and will be posting at least once a month with the hat donation tally along with photos. :)

I am placing a donate button on my left side bar {a little bit down on the page} if you would like to donate for me to buy yarn specifically for crocheting for a cause. Once I hear back from some hospitals I have contacted I will make a list of places I will be sending my things to.

And now for the winner:
Thank you to everyone who entered in the Elf Hat giveaway! I love these and they are perfect for holiday photos! Winner was chosen using rafflecopter and the winner is...

Lorie Kaehler
 look out for an email from me and be sure to check your junk folder

{Heart Therapy} My Family

Have you been following? It's like group bloggy therapy...I am loving it!

Today the prompt is to talk about our FAMILIES, introduce us to them... in as little or as much detail as you want!

Of course a children's song pops into my head! I feel like that's all I ever listen to! I actually love Laurie Berkner and her songs are great! They aren't those annoying kids songs you can only take so much of...she rocks!

Onto my family...  

 

Me & the Hubbs

We're so cool...

...because we made her - this is Bug!

These are my hubby's two boys - we love them to pieces!

My mom & dad - they're pretty awesome!

Hubby's mom & step-dad - they're awesome too!

My sister and her boyfriend. Aww!

She sometimes models for my Etsy shop...sorry to say this photo didn't make the cut!

My brother-in-law and his new wifey! Yay!

My favorite other brother-in-law! ;-)

My Nanny...I love her!

 That pretty much wraps it up. There are aunts & uncles and a million cousins...but that would make this the longest blog post ever!

I love my family! Being together is the most important thing for me and I am so glad we live near each other to be able to spend lots of time together.

 

Inspirational Sunday & A Winner

My friend runs a church group for young adults where we talk about how we can apply scriptures to our life and let the Lord help us in this time of big decisions and life changing events. Being that I have Bug & it's on a weeknight, I can't always make it every week. I did get to go this past Thursday and we talked about good fruit and bad fruit. If you live in Christ your branches will be pruned and the good fruit will be plentiful. It was such a great night and it made us all look within ourselves and see what kind of fruit we were growing. We all have some bad fruit, no one is perfect...but I pray for my bad fruit to be pruned and replaced by the good fruit of love, joy, peace, patience {especially patience!}, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

And now onto the winner of the Breast Cancer Awareness Magnets. I loved reading your comments on why you would like to win these. You are all so strong for kicking butt and being survivors! Stay healthy!

I used Rafflecopter.com and Robin Ball was the chosen winner! Congrats! I will be emailing you. Please reply to my email to claim your prize. {be sure to check your spam folder} 

How did you all like the Rafflecopter widget thing for entering giveaways? I know as a blogger it is so much easier! Did anyone have any issues with it?

{Heart Therapy} Inspiration

Have you been following? It's like group bloggy therapy...I am loving it!

Today the prompt is to talk about what is INSPIRING us, in as little or as much detail as you want!

I actually have a whole board on Pinterest dedicating to words that inspire me. You can see it here. 

There are lots of people that inspire me too!

My friends and family inspire me to do great things. 

My hubby, brother in law & his wife, and some close friends all volunteer at our local ambulance company and I am so proud of them. They are an inspiration to me.

A good friend of mine and her hubby inspire me spiritually. They are so close to God and I have been going to their church group her hubby runs where we talk about how we can all be close to God and share with each other. They do so much good in this world and inspire me to do the same!

My daughter inspires me to be the best person I can be. I am her teacher in life. What I do leaves an impression and I hope to lead by example and raise her to be a good person with a big heart! 

What inspires you?

{Heart Therapy} Fear Not

Have you been following? It's like group bloggy therapy...I am loving it!

 


Today the prompt is to talk about what your FEARS, in as little or as much detail as you want! 

If I had no fear I'd probably have a lot more of my hopes & dreams from last week's post crossed off. Fear prevents me from doing a lot of things I truly want to do. The fear of failure is a hard one to overcome. I am trying to work on this. Sometimes I think way too much about things and scare myself out of doing them. I am getting better at trying new things and stepping out of my comfort zone, but only to an extent. I am not ready to take on the big stuff that could turn out to be amazing but could be life changing {in a not so good way} if I were to fail. I have to have more faith.

I fear death...of myself & my loved ones. With all the terrible things I see on the news I am in constant fear that one day it could be me or someone I love. I know we do not have eternal life, and I am ok with that...I just fear tragic loss.

I pray to be rid of fear. It's no fun!

Inspiration Sundays & A Winner

{Source}

 ...and today I have a new look! I cut my hair! {pictures to come soon} It's about chin level {from a little past shoulder level}. I am loving it! 


I also have an idea for a Halloween treat {better late than never} that I will be posting bright an early tomorrow in case you want to whip it up quick for the kiddos snack tomorrow. You will need a box of wafer rainbow cones, white/vanilla cake mix, food coloring and choc chips. I don't know if it will go as planned so we shall see. :) It looks good in my head though!

Thank you all for entering the Vivy's Closet shop credit giveaway. I have chosen a winner using random.org. The winning comment is...#40, Mary!

marysaid...

I like you on facebook. 

Mary, I will be emailing you tonight! :)

{Heart Therapy} My Hopes & Dreams

Time to do something that will help your heart. Something I believe we neglect all too often. 

 

Heart Therapy:

Where we share what we are walking through.

{Like group bloggy therapy}

Today the prompt is to talk about your hopes and dreams.

 

1. Make a difference. Whether it is large or small I would like to make a difference in someone's life. I want to help people in a major way whether it be through my personal or professional life.
2. Teach. I have known what I wanted to do since I was in elementary school. Not many people can say that! I had some amazing teachers who have inspired me and I would love to be able to do the same for others. It is my passion! I hope someday soon it can become a reality.
3. Complete my Masters Degree! I am so close to being finished but with having to work full time and taking care of Bug it is near impossible to finish what I have left.
4. Own a home. This seems pretty impossible how things stand today, but I am hoping and praying that this becomes a possibility somehow.
5. Be a good mom. The first thing that came to mind when I found out I was having a baby girl was "Oh no, I don't want to deal with the teenage years!" I feel like there are so many bad influences these days and I hope to give my daughter the knowledge and confidence to be herself and do what is right.
6. Have more faith. A good friend of mine is becoming a Pastor and runs a young adult group {which I on occasion take part in since I insist I'm still a young adult} and have gained a new perspective and knowledge. I pray daily, but wish to feel closer to the Lord as I do now.

I'm sure I could go on and on, but these are at the top of my hopes & dreams list.

{Heart Therapy} Dear Lauren,

I recently stumbled upon Eisy Morgan's blog and fell in love! She is starting this new "group bloggy therapy" which I would love to take part in. Hopefully I can keep up and be as open as she is. I'd love for you to go on over and see what it's all about.

 

This week's prompt was to think of yourself old, at the end of your life, and what advice you will give yourself now with what you are going through, looking back. 

Dear Lauren,

Things have a way of working out if you put your trust in God. He knows what He is doing! Stop sweating the small stuff. Life will go on and as long as you have faith & love in your life you will overcome whatever struggles you are facing. Don't let it keep you up at night. 

{source}

You are going through some tough situations right now. Take control of your life. Whatever you are unhappy with, take control of what you can & pray for strength and wisdom.

Pray...a lot...about everything. Thank God for all you have & ask for help with what you are struggling with. 

{source}

You are not perfect...no one is...accept it & love yourself. Be honest. Fight for what you believe in. Don't let others thoughts blur your own. Ask for forgiveness from others when you make a mistake & forgive those who have wronged you. 

All of this will give you peace in your life. 

Love,

Me

Inspiring Sundays & OOAK Headband Winner

No matter what you are struggling with there is always something a million things to be thankful for. For me, a great reminder of this is from the brilliant Dr. Seuss and the book "Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?" I actually painted a picture of the cover and have it near my desk as a daily reminder.

Giveaway Winner:

Thank you all for entering in the  NikkiInStitches One of a Kind Headband Giveaway! I have chosen a winner using random.org and the winning comment is #54, Bee W Bedard!

Bee W Bedard said... 

Hearted NikkiInStitches on Etsy

I also have not heard from the winner of the free pattern:

Congrats!

Look out for an email from me {totshop728@yahoo.com}. Please check your spam folder too.

Inspiring Sundays & Custom Made Bib Winner

This would have been a nice reminder to have around when I was in High School, but even now I have to remind myself of this at times. I'll have to keep this around for when Bug gets older and has one of those days.

{source}

Giveaway Winner:

Thank you all for entering in the Brooks Boutique Custom Made Bib Giveaway! I have chosen a winner using random.org and the winning comment is #31, Jenna!

Jenna said... 

I follow on GFC

Congrats! 

Look out for an email from me {totshop728@yahoo.com}. Please check your spam folder too.

Inspiring Sundays & Monogrammed Bow Holder Winner

I have been seeing a lot of quotes/artwork/printables and the like on Pinterest and would like to share some of the ones that inspire me on Sundays along with announcing the giveaway winner.

This week's inspiration:

{source}

There has been a lot of worrying going on in this house lately but I keep looking back at this to remind myself to trust in God and that He will get us through.

Giveaway Winner:

Thank you all for entering in the  Giggles & Frills Monogrammed Bow Holder Giveaway! I have chosen a winner using random.org and the winning comment is #69, Kristen!

Kristin said... 

The pretty in pink flower clip is so cute. Although my daughter just walked by and said she loved them all!

Congrats! 

Look out for an email from me {totshop728@yahoo.com}. Please check your spam folder too.