I'm in the Mood...

for FALL!!!

I found these adorable Fall accessories this weekend...

This wicker pumpkin came from Target and was on SALE...yeah for sales!

My best find this weekend were these two metal leaf baskets. They were originally $19.99 and $17.99 at Hobby Lobby...but I bought them on the clearance aisle for $4 and $3...can you say STEAL!!!!

My sweet mother-in-love bought me this adorable ensemble. The pumpkin is a candle and it smells SO good...I am hoping to go to Target and buy a few more of these candles for the next giveaway.

Speaking of giveaways...Evelyn Mayfield is the winner of the Bagging It Giveaway!!! Congrats Evelyn :) Please email me your address and I'll get your bags in the mail this weekend.

Are you in the mood for Fall?

Smelling Good GIVEAWAY!!

Do you like the smell of the leather in a brand new car??? Do you like the smell of the fresh autumn air?

If you do, you'll LOVE my next Chip-in/Giveaway!!!

My dear friend, Amy, donated the prize for this giveaway and I couldn't be more grateful. You know you've found a true friend when that person puts you before their own hurts and busy lifestyle because they care. Thank you Amy for this prize...you are so giving and thoughtful :)

So what did Amy donate???

A Scentsy Warmer!!!

Scentsy is the original wickless and flameless candle company! Scentsy has created break-apart bricks in a variety of fragrances...and they smell SO GOOD!!!

Not only did Amy donate one of these warmers, but she also donated two bricks...leather and autumn sunset!!

So how could this Scentsy Warmer and bricks become yours???? I thought you'd NEVER ask...

1. Leave me comment = 1 entry

2. Become a follower of the Be Thou a Knight blog = an additional entry (if you already are following this blog, please leave me a comment and let me know)

3. Donate to our IVF Chip-In Fund by clicking the Chip-In button below = each dollar donated is worth an additional entry ($5= five additional entries, $10= ten additional entries, etc.) and will go directly to our Fertility Fund.



4. Blog about this giveaway = DOUBLE your entries

The Smelling Good Giveaway will end on Thursday, September 3!

Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday...

Fresh flowers just make me smile...

...especially yellow roses :)

Focal Point...

The DH and I wanted something artistic and different as the focal point in our living room (until we can afford a flat screen TV over our mantel). One of our friends gave us the idea to use four canvases and arrange them over our mantel. I used painter's tape to design four different patterns and painted each canvas with our left over living room and kitchen paint. This is how it turned out...

We really like it and think it achieved the artistic and different look we were going for.

I was ready for a new look so I decided to browse some of the crafty blogs that I like to visit. I saw this neat idea and wanted to try it out. I found some coordinating fabrics that matched our paint...

I wrapped three of the canvases with the striped fabric and then wrapped one of the canvases with the floral fabric. This is how it turned out...

So what do you think????

The DH and I have different opinions on which one we like best. So this is where YOU come in. Please leave me a comment and let me know which focal point you like the best. The painted canvases? Or the fabric covered canvases?

Baggin It Giveaway!!! UPDATE

UPDATE!!!

The winner of the Christmas in August Giveaway is Jennifer B !!! Congratulations!!! And a HUGE thank you to all that donated to our IVF Fund!!!

I came across these ADORABLE bags at TJMaxx the other day...on the CLEARANCE rack...and I just had to pick up a couple for my next Chip-in/Giveaway!!!

Aren't they just too precious???

Although I love all four of them, these two are my FAVS...

The green looks so fall...and hopefully it will start to cool down around here soon!

And this polka dot one is just too FUN!!

I have some bags like these that I use for EVERYTHING...to carry our towels and sunscreen to the beach, to hold a side dish to a friend's house, to carry our keys and bottled water when we take bike rides on the beach...the possibilities are ENDLESS!!!

So here's how to win this cute set of bags...

1. Leave me comment and tell me what you'd use these bags for = 1 entry

2. Become a follower of the Be Thou a Knight blog = an additional entry (if you already are following this blog, please leave me a comment and let me know)

3. Donate a $1 our IVF Chip-In Fund by clicking the Chip-In button below = each dollar donated is worth an additional entry ($5= five additional entries, $10= ten additional entries, etc.)





4. Blog about this giveaway = DOUBLE your entries

The Baggin It Giveaway will end on Thursday, August 27th!

Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday...

Our friend Lisa purchased this cool raft and we were able to hang out on it a few weekends ago.

Here are the features of the Oasis Floating Island:

• Designed to carry 1 to 6 persons
• Motorized - outboard control handle
• 6 inflatable pillows for comfort
• Built-in music system with 4 water-proof speakers
• Built-in waterproof battery box
• Built-in Waterproof storage pocket for MP3, Ipod, cell phone, etc.
• Insulated cooler to keep drinks cold

Can you say FUN!!!!

Baby Hunger...

I purchased the book Baby Hunger: Biblical Encouragement for Those Struggling with Infertility the other day and I can't even begin to tell you how much just the FIRST chapter has meant to me.

Read the Amazon overview of the book:

The silence of infertility is deafening!It has been estimated that one of six American couples will face difficulty getting pregnant, yet their cries go unheard. The unfulfilled desire for a child can be all-consuming. New babies and pregnant women are constant reminders of what you cannot have, but have longed for all your life.The hurt is constant. The struggle is hard. The answers are unclear.What is clear is that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and understands our pain. Throughout Scripture we see people just like you and me who have, on bended knee, begged God for a child. There is so much we can glean from these precious, sacred words to heal the hurt and give encouragement that the world simply cannot give. Baby Hunger is an invaluable tool for those struggling with infertility and for loved ones touched by their pain.

The first chapter is the story of Abraham and Sarah...I can SO feel the hurt that both of them experienced, the doubts they had (especially at their age), and the feelings of defeat.

But God already had a plan for these two...He called Abraham the Father of Many Nations, long before the manifestation of His promise came to fruition.

Here are a few key points of Chapter 1:

• Nothing seems to matter without a child, but don't forget to be grateful for the blessings in your life now.
• God uses what we understand the MOST to teach us the things we understand the LEAST.
• God fulfilled his promise in due time.
• God's provision was present THROUGHOUT years of infertility.
• God can use whatever trials we face to bring Him glory.

So, I'm encouraging those of you experiencing this journey with me, or those of you with family or friends trying to have a baby, pick up Baby Hunger it is a MUST READ!

Christmas in August??? UPDATED

UPDATE!!

The winner of the Lily J Designs Chip-in/Giveaway is my dear friend AMY!!!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:61
Timestamp: 2009-08-15 21:40:31 UTC

Congrats Amy...I can't think of anyone MORE deserving than you :)

My sweet blogger friend, Elaine, is the sponsor of my next Chip-In/Giveaway. She is SO creative...just take a look at her store, Design Etc. I have fallen in love with so many of her items...my two favorite items are the blocks and the blessing rings. But, ALL of her items are just adorable and would be great for both your own home decor or for a baby's room.

What is a Blessing Ring you might ask?

"Our Heavenly Father has given us the gift of the blessing. A blessing is not only speaking well-seasoned words, but also putting in action those words of encouragement and praise. And so to you I give the blessing ring. Each time someone encourages you in a word or action, place it on your ring..." A card, a letter, a token, a Bible verse, a photo...punch a hole in it, string it on your Blessing Ring.

Is that not the CUTEST idea ever????

You could use a Blessing Ring for a baby shower, wedding shower, or birthday to display all your cards. I even thought it could be used as a baby bow holder!

Here are justa few of the blessing rings that Elaine has created and I just LOVE them!!

I just HAD to order my own Blessing Ring...but I had something else on my mind...CHRISTMAS! Yes, I said Christmas, this girl plans AHEAD!! Here is a picture of what mine looks like...

Isn't it just PRECIOUS!!! I plan on hanging Christmas cards on our Blessing Ring. I think it will be the sweetest addition to our Christmas decor :)

So, wouldn't you like to have your very own Blessing Ring??? This is all you need to do to win a custom made Blessing Ring from Design, Etc....

1. Leave me a comment telling me how you would use your Blessing Ring = 1 entry.

2. Donate to our IVF Chip-In = each dollar donated earns you an additional entry ($5 is five entries, $10 is ten entries, etc.) Just click on the Chip-In button below.

Please remember that every single dollar donated to our Chip-In Fund will go toward our fertility treatments...to learn more about our journey through infertility, visit our other blog, Growing Our Own Garden.

3. Blog about our giveaway (or tweet about it, put it on your facebook or myspace page) = double your entries.

So whether you're feeling Christmas in August or making plans for a wedding shower, don't miss your chance to win your very own Blessing Ring!

Deadline for entries is Thursday, August 20th!

Good luck!

By the way....the Lily J Designs winner will be announced this weekend!!!

Wordless Wednesday...I'm in LOVE!!!

I am in LOVE with these...

BIG, BULKY PURSES!!!!

Don't forget that TOMORROW is the last day to enter my GIVEAWAY!!

Favorite Photo Blog Hop...

I am participating in the Riggs Family Blog's McLinky Blog Hop...Favorite Photo. And I couldn't resist posting this adorable picture of my parents.

I took this picture of my parents in July when we met up with them in Biloxi...aren't they just too cute (and funny)??? I miss them so much and wish that they lived next door to us...well, not literally, but a good 10-30 minute drive would definitely beat the 13 hour drive we take now to visit them :)

If you haven't already, please check out my previous post and enter my Chip-In/Giveaway to win the Lily J Designs Necklace and Earrings set....you DON'T want to miss out on this one :)

Lily J Designs Giveaway!!!

My friend Tammy is the owner of Lily J Designs. She recently sent me two gorgeous necklaces...one to use for my next Chip-in/Giveaway and one for me :) Wasn't that sweet?

Let me give you a little info on Lily J Designs...

Lily J Designs specializes in distinctive handcrafted wearable art jewelry for all tastes, from the classic and natural to the funky and trendy. We offer a wide variety of one-of-a-kind designs including silver and copper wire wrapped gemstone pendants. Our jewelry collections include unique necklaces, bracelets, and earrings created with stunning gemstones and beads. We also feature a line of adorable custom creations for children.

Lily J Designs offers an exclusive Revamp service to restore your loose gemstones, beads and antiques items to create striking new jewelry pieces.

It is MANDATORY that you stop by Tammy's site and check out ALL the beautiful pieces of jewlery she has to offer. Well, it's not really MANDATORY, but you'll be missing out if you don't!

So here is the prize for the Lily J Designs Giveaway...

The necklace is natural agate gemstones with foil glass pendants. Check out the DETAIL of these stones...just gorgeous!

I am SO in love with this necklace and I can just imagine all countless possibilities for wearing it. And did I mention that she sent a pair of earrings to match too!!! Check them out...

This entire set is worth at least $75 (AND OH SO WORTH EVERY PENNY)!!!

So this is how my Chip-in/Giveaway works:

1. Leave me a comment letting me know how much you LOVE this necklace=1 entry.

2. Donate to our IVF Chip-in Fund= for each $1 that you donate, you earn an extra entry. And just an FYI...we are planning to start treatment this next cycle so ANY donation would be GREATLY appreciated!

3. Post about our Chip-in/Giveaway on your blog= DOUBLE your entries

The Lily J Designs Giveaway will end on Thursday, August 13, 2009.

Good luck!

Show Us Your Life...HONEYMOON!!!

I have been so excited to participate in Kelly's Show Us Your Life: Honeymoon Edition because I LOVED our honeymoon!!!!

The DH and I got married almost four years ago and decided to go to Maui for our honeymoon. We stayed at the Grand Wailea Hotel and Spa and it was the BEST hotel EVER. We LOVE the water, so we were sold on the Grand Wailea Hotel and Spa when we read this description of the pools...

The Grand Wailea Resort and Spa offers nine free-form pools at six levels -- beginning at 40 feet and dropping to sea level. The pools are connected by a river that carries swimmers along at varying speeds, from whitewater rapids to lazy currents. Wailea Canyon includes four jungle pools, four tile slides, a whitewater rapids slide, a Tarzan pool with rope swing, the world's only water elevator, a sand beach, six waterfalls, caves, three Jacuzzis, an infant pool, and a swim-up bar, where guests can order refreshing beverages.

So needless to say, we spent a LOT of time here at the swim-up bar....it was SO cool!

Not only were the pools a great asset to our hotel, but the landscaping was just amazing too! Here we are sitting on one of the benches close to our hotel room...

And this is a pic of us right outside our hotel room on the balcony...

We really enjoyed the pools and the scenery at our hotel, but we spent the majority of our stay in Maui doing this...

Snuba Diving!!!

Snuba Diving is similar to Scuba Diving, except you don't go down as far and you don't have to carry an oxygen tank on your back. We LOVED looking at all the pretty fish, sea anemone, and especially the sea turtles.

Isn't he a cutie????

We also took a helicopter ride...which was just AMAZING!!

Isn't this view breath-taking?

We also did a little parasailing!

Parasailing was so peaceful...well, it WAS until the DH told me that it wouldn't be a pretty picture if I fell from the parasail...afterall, we were up 12 stories high!!!

And last but certain not least, we spent several days (and sunsets) at our favorite beach...Big Beach!

I can honestly say that honeymooning in Maui was one of the BEST vacations we've ever taken. I am hoping we'll be able to go again for our 10th wedding anniversary...only 6 more years to go :)

Wordless Wednesday...

Our ages, styles, and hairdo's might have changed....

...but our friendship remains the same!