First Friday Funday Winner

Congrats to Andrea for winning the Friday Funday Giveway!!! More giveaways to come in the following weeks. Keep watching!

One More Chance for Free Stuff!

I think I neglected to take into account that last week was Spring Break for half of the country. So I am going to extend the giveaway until Tuesday, March 22nd at 12:00 pm. Those of you who have already entered will get double entries!

Please be sure to read the instructions on the Friday Funday post carefully! Also, check your profile to ensure that I and others can see your posts. :) Your e-mail and private information are not posted when you reply. No need to worry about spam.

Friday Funday

It is chilly and a bit gloomy here, but all of you have filled me with sunshine. Okay...that might have been just a tad sappy. I have neglected you these days and I vow to be more consistent. So today I want to thank you for not forgetting about me! My little blog has received over 1,000 hits, and as my daughter would say (imagine in a high pitched 3.5 year old voice learning she is about to go to Disney World) "I'm SO excited!"

So today I am sponsoring this fun little giveaway. You all know that we need to drink more water. It is healthy, makes you feel good, and is essential to life! Bad news is that it becomes easy to forget or even overwhelming to think about consuming a minimum of 64 ounces.

I have found the cuter the drinking vessel the easier it is to drink. These days I consume at least 80 ounces of just water. Not trying to brag just proving a point. It is so easy because I use this super cute and earth friendly cup. This acrylic double barreled cup (with straw and lid) is easy to carry around and most of the time I finish drinking 16 ounces just on the way back from the sink. This is your chance to win your very own!


This contest is only open to those who are registered followers of the blog. If you aren't, just click the link on the right and start following (note:  you won't start getting annoying e-mails or spam). This giveaway is participatory, so please follow the instructions below. You don't have to do all of the options, but the more you do the more entries into the drawing you will receive. You have until midnight on Sunday to enter, and I will choose a winner through random.org on Monday.

1)  Leave a comment on this blog posting.
2)  Post a link to this blog on your facebook, twitter, blog, other social networking site and comment here that you have done so. You will receive on entry for each location to which you post.
3)  Invite a friend to follow the blog. After they become a follower, have them comment below saying that you sent them.

Good luck and happy Friday! Be sure to make it fun!

A Necessary Evil

I HATE shopping for swimsuits. In fact, I have never enjoyed this sometimes humiliating process. Now, I know a few weeks ago I wrote about embracing my body, loving the curves, and not stressing about those 8 extra pounds. I still love me and my new shape (on a side note, I have started running again…okay once) just not in a bathing suit. There is something about squeezing into a tiny piece of lycra and parading around half naked that is so not appealing to me. I also think that paying $75 for a decent suit is ridiculous, but sadly even the “cheap” ones can cost $40 or more. With a bathing suit, you definitely get what you pay for and I will take all the coverage I can get!  There has only one time in my life that I actually found a swimsuit  I liked, fit well, and was comfortable to wear. I still have it, but it likely won’t fit until NEXT summer.

Unfortunately, swimsuit season came a little earlier than anticipated this year. A last minute weekend getaway left me in desperate need of finding something that fit and 5 days to search a handful of stores. So one blustery Saturday, I left the kids at home with my hubby and set out on my mission. Two hours, 4 stores, and about 15 swimsuits later I arrived home empty handed. On the plus side, I scored 3 pairs of cute shorts (Old Navy Bermuda length) and found some great baby sales!

So on a whim I decided to try our local JC Penney’s during my lunch hour. Don’t get me wrong...there is absolutely nothing wrong with this store. I just almost never shop here. I entered the store expecting a quick trip only to be pleasantly surprised. I found several one and two piece suits that were cute, looked like they would be a good fit, and were on sale. I took 3 sizes (I’m not exaggerating) of every suit into the fitting room and for once didn’t hate the experience.  I was really dreading the thought of purchasing a one piece bathing suit. I know I hate swimwear, but wearing a two piece was somehow much easier than wearing what I used to call a “mom” suit. I was pleasantly surprised when I found a cute a.n.a option that came in real sizes not just s-m-l. These days, I need an actual size not just something that will fit most.  It met all of my specifications, hid the areas that I consider to be unflattering, was a beautiful blue, and wasn’t boring or “momish.” I loved it so much that at that moment I would have paid full price.

So I guess the moral of this little story is to search unexpected areas and you might just end up with fabulous results. I’m still not going to go on a crazy diet or start running 10 miles at a time just to trim the tummy and to fit into my other cute swimsuit. Instead, I celebrated my find with a salad…and a milkshake! J Embrace and love yourself…that is what matters most!

Giving In...Not Up

Every year about this time I start contemplating what I should “give up” for Lent. What small sacrifice I can make as a symbol of thanks for the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. He gave His life to make us perfect. I NEVER think of myself as perfect. Instead I think of all the improvements I should make or the vices I resort to in times of need. I forget all too easily why God sacrificed his Son, but thankfully a message in my inbox and a series of events reminded me of this.

“With one sacrifice he made perfect forever those who are being made holy” Hebrews 10:14

The devotion went on to state that God completes us. We all have areas in our lives that we don't like, but this doesn't make us bad. I have to let God fix me...it is impossible to do so on my own. This message was preceded by an amazing sermon by our Pastor and study of Scripture from Matthew 6: 25-27.  This passage ends with “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” These are POWERFUL statements to remember…especially when I am struggling. I have been faced with my share of challenges lately and their burdens are too great. But instead of giving them to God, I try to sort through the mess on my own. Funny how sometimes we need that smack (or several) on the forehead to remind us what is truly important.

So this Lenten season I am giving into God. I am making Him the focus of each day, each decision, and every struggle. In all honesty, I am not entirely sure what this looks like, but I know that when I GIVE IN the path will be there for me to follow. I know that I need not only read but STUDY my Bible more. To let go of the worry and the unhappiness and let God take care of His child. Isn’t that really what Easter is about? He loves us and wants us to remember the beautiful gift of His Son’s sacrifice.