Donate to help Families in CT

I have taken a bit of a break from blogging since the Giveaway ended. With the hectic-ness of that over, but the oncoming craziness of the holidays coming, I needed a short break.

That being said, that also means I haven't made any mention of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary.

Honestly, my heart was aching too badly to even know where to begin, and it still is. I cannot imagine what anyone in that town is going through, and my thoughts and prayers and wishes are with them all.

A few days after the incident, I had thoughts that I would like to send something to each of the families of those who lost loved ones. I didn't know who to send them to, how to get them there, or where even to begin. My idea faded into the back of my mind, and has been gnawing at me ever since. I have not figured out how to make that come to fruit yet,

But....


I have been given the chance to take part in one of the most kind hearted, beautiful, amazing events since this tragedy happened...and you can as well.

Have you heard of The Purple Pug??

Kristy - the amazing, glitter loving woman behind the scenes there - has one of the biggest hearts I know.

Right now, she is collecting donations so that she can pay off 26 random Christmas Layaway accounts in CT. 
She is doing this in honor of the 26 sweet new angels. 

Today is the FINAL day she is collecting donations, so that the Layaway accounts can be paid off in time for Christmas.

Any amount of money you can donate is an amazing help.  $2... $5.... $20....

Everything helps to make Christmas a little easier for another family.

Please head over to her blog post and donate anything you can spare.

http://www.thepurplepug.blogspot.com/2012/12/26-random-acts-of-kindness-for-angels.html

Christmas Surprise

My sister has had an 'Elf on the Shelf' for my neice for a couple years now.

 

Claire is a huge fan of Red (thats the name she gave him) and after hearing about him all the time, and hearing from my sister about how much fun she had each morning trying to find him, I caved and as of last year, we got our own Elf.

 

We read the book on the last day of November and as promised, he magically appeared the very next morning, hanging out on one of our paintings.

 

 

 

My son named him Stanley, and he came back to our house every morning, popping up in a new and unexpected place for the kids to find.

 

He headed back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve when Santa came to deliver the presents, with promises to return next year.

 

~

 

It was sometime around the middle of summer when my son asked if we could take out the book and see if Stanley would come back. I humored him, and we did.

 

When Stanley didn't return the next day, we explained to him that he is probably very busy making toys and helping Santa. Timmy was sad, but seemed to take that as truth.

 

He has been asking again if we can read Stanleys book, so we did again on this past Sunday night.

 

Monday morning came and went and he seemed to forget that he was waiting for Stanley to arrive as he made no mention of him.

 

But I didn't forget.

 

At first I thought that Stanley would show up with a letter from Santa, explaining that Stanley wanted to come and say Hello, but that he had to go back to the workshop until the end of the month to help out.

 

Then I decided that I didn't want to get his hopes up by finding Stanley, just to have him "go back" that night. So I thought that Tim would just receive a letter from Santa himself in the mail.

I saw this Pin on Pinterest for Free Christmas Fonts that same night, and knew that writing a letter would be a sinch.

 

Well....Monday afternoon I had to run to the store (I was out of packing tape. That's all I went for, honestly). As I was wandering through the store to find the tape...I saw these cute boxes, and bells, and ornaments, and I had an "A-HA!" moment.

 

Why should he just get a letter? Why not a box with something special inside too??

 

So he did, with one for Tim, and one for Ben :)

 

 

I wrote the letter and postmarked it from Santa.

 

I boxed up the ornaments (he claims the ornaments are from Stanley) and the bells, and tucked them all into the mailbox.

 

 

 

 

I stuck a fun bow to the mailbox so that there would be a reason for him to go check out the mailbox (since there was no regular mail Monday for Veterans day).

 

I then headed out to pick up the kids.

As we pulled up to our house I pretended like I had no idea what had happeend, of course, and said "Wait...what is THAT on the mailbox??" as we pulled into the driveway, then suggested Tim go investigate...

He is in 1st grade this year, and has become a great reader, so he was overjoyed when he read it was from the "North Pole" as you can see in the second picture there :)

He couldn't WAIT to open both the letter and the box to see what was inside.

Both the boys were very happy with what they found inside (even though Ben doesn't "get it" yet, he still likes to ring his little bell from Rudolphs harness.)

Happy, happy boys :)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was great to see such big smiles and excitement from both the boys.

I couldn't help but think "What parent WOULDN'T want to see that?? So, I decided not only to share it here, but I actually listed a letter/gift from Santa set in my shop too:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/114897314/a-package-and-customized-letter-from


I wanted to make it easy for all of YOU to share the same joy with your kids :)

Day 18: 30 Days of Thanks Giveaway!!

It's nearing the end of November...

 

 

Thanksgiving is just a few days away...

 

 

That means it's time to get into the mood for the Holidays!

 

 

Todays prize should make getting into the sprit a bit easier :)

 

 

We have our first of two sets of Jingle Bell earrings from Beautiful Machine.

 

 

Aren't they adorable?

 

Use the Rafflecopter Widget below to enter to win them :)

 

Not entering but still want contact info? You can find Beautiful Machine here:

Etsy Shop

Facebook

Twitter

Etsy Shop #2 :)

 

PLEASE NOTE: Entries are limited to residents of the US only. The Rafflecopter tool does not have a filter and therefore WILL allow you to enter even if you are outside the US, but to be fair on shipping costs to all of the sponsors, only those within the US will be eligble to claim the prizes.

 

 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remember: some important notes and quick reminders about the giveaway (these reminders wil be posted each day of the giveaway!):

1) Each entry that you earn with be checked for accuracy. Please do not say you following a blog, made a purchase from a shop, like a page, etc. if you in fact did not. If you are caught cheating, you will be automatically disqualified from the ENTIRE giveaway, not just the one day.

2) Whether you win or not, please take a moment to say "thank you" to the sponsors. Each sponsor took their own time and resources to provide us with the opportunity to have this wonderful giveaway. No sponsors = no prizes = no Giveaway.

It only takes a moment to pop into their shop or FB page to say Thank You.

Please do.

3) You may enter on as many or as few days as you wish. Yes, that means you or someone else may win on more than one day, and that is absolutely A-O.K. Also, sponsors may enter only on days that their item is NOT being featured. (aka, don't enter for your own item). Might seem silly, but it's a good reminder, trust me ;)

4) Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prize. If not claimed after 48 hours a new winner will be drawn for that days prize.

5) Have fun and Good Luck!!

Day 17: 30 Days of Thanks Giveaway!

Happy Weekend!!

 

This week has been very long for me, and I can't wait to just get some good, relaxing, down time this weekend. Hope you have the chance to do the same!

 

I know there were a LOT of you that wanted to win the last bead kit from Cats Bead Kits and More so here is your chance to win another lovely kit from her shop!

 

 

This kit features a gorgeous pendant grouped with matching beads.You will need to add additional components such as crimp beads, stringing material, tools, etc.

This bead kit will make a 16" or longer necklace.

 

Use the Rafflecopter Widget below to enter for your chance to win!

 

Not entering but want contact info? You can find Cats Bead Kits and More here:

Etsy Shop

Twitter

Website

Pinterest

 

PLEASE NOTE: Entries are limited to residents of the US only. The Rafflecopter tool does not have a filter and therefore WILL allow you to enter even if you are outside the US, but to be fair on shipping costs to all of the sponsors, only those within the US will be eligble to claim the prizes. 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remember: some important notes and quick reminders about the giveaway (these reminders wil be posted each day of the giveaway!):

1) Each entry that you earn with be checked for accuracy. Please do not say you following a blog, made a purchase from a shop, like a page, etc. if you in fact did not. If you are caught cheating, you will be automatically disqualified from the ENTIRE giveaway, not just the one day.

2) Whether you win or not, please take a moment to say "thank you" to the sponsors. Each sponsor took their own time and resources to provide us with the opportunity to have this wonderful giveaway. No sponsors = no prizes = no Giveaway.

It only takes a moment to pop into their shop or FB page to say Thank You.

Please do.

3) You may enter on as many or as few days as you wish. Yes, that means you or someone else may win on more than one day, and that is absolutely A-O.K. Also, sponsors may enter only on days that their item is NOT being featured. (aka, don't enter for your own item). Might seem silly, but it's a good reminder, trust me ;)

4) Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prize. If not claimed after 48 hours a new winner will be drawn for that days prize.

5) Have fun and Good Luck!!