Happy Halloween...

I am SO sad that I am out of town and unable to celebrate Halloween at home with my family. I absolutely ADORE passing out candy to the cute trick-or-treaters :( I cant' wait to see all the pics of my sweet nephew Mikey when I get home...he will be dressing up as a Jags football player. Happy Halloween to you all...don't eat too much candy!

If you haven't done so yet, please visit this post and secure your chance to win the Coach purse and wallet. It is our second prize for our IVF Chip-In/Giveaway. Because I am out of town and will not be returning until tomorrow....I've decided to extend the date for the Giveaway. The final date to enter will be Tuesday, November 4. Good luck!

Happy Birthday MOM...

Happy birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear MOM...Happy Birthday to you!!!

I hope your day is as special as you are to me! I can't wait to see you for Thanksgiving. I think this is the LONGEST we've been apart :(
I love you mom!!

_________________________________________________

My IVF Chip-in/Giveaway is still underway. I am at AWE at all the comments and generosity of the blogger world. It really makes me want to cry just thinking about it. If you haven't commented yet, see the post below, you don't want to miss out!

Giveaway #2 and It's a BIG ONE...

UPDATE****I have decided to change the final date to enter the Chip-In/Giveaway to Tuesday, November 4th....so leave a comment and spread the word :)

You guys are NOT going to believe this giveaway!!! Drum roll please....

My friend Heather from Mamma's Little Sugar Booger donated this COACH purse and wallet to my IVF Chip-In/Giveaway. The purse and wallet together retail for approximately $200!!

Heather experienced first hand the heartache and struggles with IVF, but is now the proud mother of the cutest little girl EVER! Please check out her blog and let her know just how awesome and thoughtful she is for donating this magnificent prize to my giveaway. I have told her thanks a million times over, but I don't think she can hear it too much!

So here is how the IVF Chip-In/Giveaway works.

1. Leave a comment on my blog for one entry.

2. Leave a comment on my blog and post about my drawing on your blog for two entries.

3. Leave a comment on my blog and donate at least $10 through my Chip-In for three entries.

4. Leave a comment on my blog and donate at least $20 through my Chip-In for four entries.

5. Leave a comment on my blog and donate at least $50 through my Chip-In for five entries.

Please remember that all contributions go directly to our IVF fund. We have a pretty steep goal of $10,000, but with all your help I think we'll make it to that goal by January 2009. My Chip-In is located on the right (in my sidebar) and it is very easy to donate.

Please know that it is NOT necessary to donate money...at least leave a comment so I can add your name to the drawing and SPREAD the word to your family, friends, and fellow bloggers. The more people that know our story and know our goal, the better!

The drawing will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008.

Good luck and again THANK YOU HEATHER!!!!

Flying on a Jet Plane...

I wish I were flying on jet plane to a great vacation destination, but instead I just witnessed some at the Jacksonville Air Show at NAS Jax. The weather was YUCKY...clouds, a very cool breeze, and a few sprinkles. But wouldn't you know that as soon as the Blue Angels finished the SUN came out??? So typical. But we enjoyed the boat ride...it's always a GOOD time when you're out on the water :)

Here is the boat....Island Time!



This is the Florida Times Union (our local newspaper) and their HUGE breast cancer awareness ribbon...love it!

Jacksonville Skyline....look at those horrible clouds :(

Pretty cool shot, huh? I was having the hardest time taking pics because my camera has a delay. So I had to time the shot just perfectly.

Too bad I didn't get any videos....the sounds were amazing (and loud)!!

Taking a nose-dive!


I am hoping to make some Christmas cards today while watching the Jags...but I have had a serious headache all day yesterday, last night, and this morning :(

Stay tuned for the next giveaway....it's going to be a GOOD one!

And the Winner is.....

#32!!!

Congratulations Amy from Chapters!!! I will put your Starbuck's basket in the mail tomorrow!

Your Numbers and a Winner SOON...

I thought it would only be fair to post the names and numbers of all the people that entered my FIRST Chip-In/Giveaway...to tell the truth, I can't figure out an easier way to be organized and fair (remember, OCD???). Anyway, listed below are all the people that entered my Chip-In/Giveaway.

1. Cathy
2. Sunshine
3. Sunshine
4. Mom
5. Mom
6. Mom
7. Mom
8. Mom
9. Aunt Angela
10. Aunt Angela
11. Aunt Angela
12. Aunt Angela
13. Aunt Angela
14. Rebecca Jo
15. Rebecca Jo
16. Rebecca Jo
17. Rebecca Jo
18. Amanda
19. Amanda
20. Leah
21. Leah
22. Mother Taylor
23. Mother Taylor
24. Mother Taylor
25. Mother Taylor
26. Mother Taylor
27. Jennifer at Meals Made Easy
28. Kristin at Blue Skies
29. Jenna
30. Jenna
31. Amy at Chapters
32. Amy at Chapters
33. Amy at Chapters
34. Amy at Chapters
35. Linda Smith
36. Aunt Dottie
37. Aunt Dottie
38. Aunt Dottie
39. Aunt Dottie
40. Aunt Dottie
41. Naturally Caffeinated
42. Naturally Caffeinated
43. Miss Anne
44. Miss Anne
45. Faith
46. Mimi
47. Angela at Three at Four
48. Angela at Three at Four

Now that everyone knows their number, I'm off to search the internet for a random number generator and to try and figure out HOW to use it!

I'll be back SOON with the lucky winner....

Last Chance for My Giveaway...

Okay ladies! Today is the LAST day to leave me a comment for my Starbuck's Gift Basket Giveaway!! You can either leave a comment on this post or visit this post for all the details :)

Good luck! I'll be posting the winner tomorrow!!!

If you are interested in my Etsy Store Special, read the post below! I have a FREE set of cards with your name on it :)

Fall & Halloween Special...

I decided to do a post on the new Fall cards I've created for my Etsy Store, Greeting Cards for Our Garden. Check out my latest cards, just in time for Thanksgiving...






I think the glittery green and the yellow argyle are my FAVS!!! If you purchase TWO sets of my Fall or Halloween cards from my Etsy store this week, I'll throw in a set of Thank You cards for FREE!!!

This Fall Special will be good until Sunday, October 26th, so get your order in TODAY!!!

I'm a Kreativ Blogger...

Mrs. Forever awarded me with the Kreativ Blogger Award...

I must admit...I have been WANTING this award. Afterall, I think I am pretty creative :) Here are the rules...name six things that make you happy and then pass on to six worthy bloggers.

1. Clean sheets...just the smell of the sheets makes me feel clean. I also love to snuggle up in bed as soon as the sheets get out of the dryer...nice, clean, and WARM.

2. My dog...Kodi is just the happiest dog I have ever seen. He is so excited to see me every time I walk in the door...whether I have been gone for 5 minutes or 5 hours, he always greets me with a wagging tail and a howl that melts my heart.

3. When the DH tells me he loves me...there just isn't anything better than to know that someone truly loves you for just being you.

4. Seeing my parents...you never realize how much you need your parents, until they don't live within driving distance. I treasure the time I get to spend with my parents and can't wait until I see them again at Thanksgiving.

5. Kissing my nephew...Little Mikey has learned to kiss. He gives the sweetest little kisses and I just can't believe how big he is getting.

6. Christmas morning...the anticipation of Christmas morning still gets my heart racing. I love watching people open gifts and the thought of knowing that you got someone EXACTLY what they wanted for Christmas is priceless.

The 6 bloggers I'd like to award the Kreativ Blogger award to are:

1. Hollye at Hollye's Hobby

2. Shaunna at Losing the Baby Weight

3. Rebecca at Knit by God's Hands

4. Faith at Walk with Me by Faith

5. Mimi at Mimi's Memories

6. Angela at Three at Four

Congratulations Ladies...you are OH SO DESERVING and KREATIV!

More Giveaways???

Is this possible???? I found another blog with an awesome giveaway...you MUST check this out!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

If I win...I have few little girls that I think would LOVE to have this for Halloween :)

Also, Mojito Maven at Make Mine a Mojito is celebrating her 100th post with an AWESOME giveaway. Click on her link and join in the fun!

Christmas Ideas...

I am jumping on the Chapters band-wagon and listing some items that I think would be GREAT Christmas ideas for anyone in your family. These are my top three items that would be great gifts...


This monogrammed wooden plaque would look AWESOME on a mantel or shelf...and it just so happens to have MY initial on it...maybe it's meant to be!! To check out more things like this item, click this link.



My friend Faith at Walk with me by Faith has a great store with TONS of cute items. I especially like these totes. They could be used for ANYTHING!! I would probably put my makeup and hair stuff in it under the sink, but it could be used as a place to store diapers in your nursery, magazines or books, or even paperplates and napkins for an outdoor cookout! I LOVE pink, but for my house, I think I would choose the brown or the black with cream writing :) Click on this link for Faith's store.



I saw this tile plaque on Angie Smith's blog and I just love it! You can choose your favorite verse to go on it. I think it would be such an awesome conversation piece in any home! Click on this link to check out the entire selection.



What items do you think would be great Christmas gifts? If you put up your own Christmas list on your blog, let me know. And try to be budget-friendly, less than $50!

Christmas is just around the corner...get to shopping NOW!!!

Maxine Monday...

I haven't done this in quite a while, so I think we are WAY overdue for a Maxine Monday....

Don't you just love how honest Maxine is? She always seems to say exactly what I'm thinking, but of course I don't have the courage to say so.

I was reading Mimi's Memories the other day and this quote from Maxine reminded me of her post. Let me explain...Mimi was explaining how we should not associate ourselves with people that are always negative or are constantly bringing us down. God wants us to be positive and trust in His decisions. He takes us down these paths of frustration, aggravation, and disappointment because He knows we can overcome them and prosper.

So my point here...and Maxine's point too...is that once we get to know someone, really get to know them, and feel as if they are only bringing us down, we should rise up above the negativitiy and move on. Don't get me wrong, it is EXTREMELY hard to break free from this negativity, but remember this verse...

"Do not be deceived; Bad company corrupts good morals." ~ I Corinthians 15:33

I also must say that I am still reading my One Month to Live book and read the chapter entitled Sandpaper. This chapter was discussing all the people in your life that "rub you the wrong way." The author gave examples of different people and the things that they do that can be aggravating to you. The key is to realize that God puts people like this in our path for two reasons...1. So that we may be a postive influence in their life and show them the correct path to follow...and 2. To teach us to be a stronger person.

So the next time that someone at work, or in your family, or a complete stranger in the grocery store "rubs you the wrong way," remember that God is giving us this opportunity to grow.

Giveaways...

My friend at Preppy Little Dress is having a giveaway of her own! Make sure you stop by and leave her a comment so you can enter to win her MYSTERY prize :)



And of course I couldn't write a post without mentioning MY giveaway....scroll down a few posts and enter your name for the Starbucks Gift Basket....it would be a great prize to win as the weather continues to cool down :)

Bless My Friends...

I saw this cute little mouse and I couldn't have said it better myself...

I truly can't thank all of you enough for all the wonderful ways that you have shown me you care this week. Thank you so much for all the prayers and well-wishes. Unfortunately, we were not one of the winners of the free IVF's, but there were three HAPPY couples that walked away speechless and overjoyed. Just to see the excitement in their faces was priceless!

I did want to mention that I have ONLY been selling my cards for a WEEK and have sold over $150. My Chip-In is almost to $350...and the comments are just off the chart!!!

I hope you all know how much this means to me. You are all so thoughtful and I know the Lord has blessed ME by giving me such wonderful on-line friends.

It's not too late to sign up for the giveaway...just click on this link to get the details!!

This is the Day...

...that the Lord has made! I just had to say that for my #1VBF! Tedra is having a birthday today and I wanted to wish her the VERY BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!

I love you Tee and hope you know how much I miss you :)

PS If you haven't signed up for my giveaway yet, look below for more info!!! You only have one more week to sign up!!!

Chip-In and Giveaway...

My dear friend Heather at Mamma's Little Sugar Booger came up with a brilliant idea on how the DH and I can raise money for our IVF fund. I took her idea and created a Chip-In! We are hoping to raise enough money to participate in our third (and hopefully final, resulting in a beautiful baby) IVF cycle the first of the new year. Our monetary goal is pretty steep, but I believe that if we could raise even a portion of the fees, it would be worth the effort.


This is how it works...

I will have a WONDERFUL prize that I will give away to a lucky generated winner!!! This is similar to giveaways you have seen on other blogs. But, this is how it is different. There are five different ways you can enter the drawing...


1. Leave a comment on my blog for one entry.

2. Leave a comment on my blog and post about my drawing on your blog for two entries.

3. Leave a comment on my blog and donate at least $10 through my Chip-In for three entries.

4. Leave a comment on my blog and donate at least $20 through my Chip-In for four entries.

5. Leave a comment on my blog and donate at least $50 through my Chip-In for five entries.


So, let's get started! Our first prize up for grabs is this....

A coffee drinker's delight...and not just any coffee....Starbucks Coffee (and Tea). This is what the giftbasket includes: Starbucks Ground Coffee French Roast, Starbucks Ground Coffee House Blend, Starbucks Ground Coffee Sumatra, Starbucks Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti, Starbucks Hot Cocoa, Tazo Tea Duet Assortment, and two Starbucks Coffee Mugs...valued at $50!

If you decide to donate to our IVF fund, please click the link on my Chip-In widget located at the top of my sidebar on the right.

This first prize drawing will be held on Friday, October 24.

Please keep checking in to see what amazing prizes I have to give away!

Keeping Up and Many Generous Friends...UPDATE

UPDATE: Angela at Three at Four has posted about her giveaway! Check it out and leave her comment...you could be the lucky recipient of my Let it Snow Greeting Cards!!!

As I stated in my last post, my Etsy store is up and running. Check it out on my sidebar to the right. I have been feverishly trying to keep up with working at school, making new cards, and blogging :) It's a hard life, isn't it????


I can not tell you how overwhelmed with appreciation I am with all of my blogging friends' generousity. I have had so many people email me and comment to me that they are more than willing to help me out and do what they can for our IVF fund. Angela from Three at Four plans to do a giveaway soon with a set of my cards. Jenna at Jenna's Journey has posted my Etsy Store on her blog. Amy at Chapter's is also going to advertise for me. And my sweet sweet friend Heather at Mamma's Little Sugar Booger donated a WONDERFUL gift so I could use Chip-In to raise money for our IVF fund. I'll hopefully have the Chip-In started, with instructions on how to donate, next week.


This has been such a great week for me and I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us next!


I'll be working on Christmas Cards this entire week....so make sure and check out Greeting Cards for our Garden!

Etsy Debut...

I took your advice and opened my own Etsy Store...it's called Greeting Cards for Our Garden. I am planning to put the money from the purchases towards our IVF fund...in the hopes that we will start our own garden soon! Click on the picture below to visit my new store...

More cute greeting cards coming soon!!! Someone already bought HALF of my selction already :) I guess I better get busy this week!

Christmas Sneak Peak...

I had SO many of you tell me that I should sell my cards on Etsy. So I have decided to do some research on Etsy and get my card business started...we need to get going on this IVF fund. Who knows...if we receive the free IVF at the seminar next weekend, I'll use the fund to start our nursery :)



Here is a sneak peak of the Christmas Cards I've made so far...

Candy Canes Galore

Holiday Sparkles

Let it Snow

I think the Let it Snow cards are my favorites :)

I have really enjoyed making cards this weekend and they don't really take long at all. I'm hoping to have my Etsy store up and running by the end of the week!!! Thanks for the encouragement!!