A LOVE-ly Giveaway!

So, I must admit, I'm not real original, but my intentions are pure. While perusing through (a.k.a. stalking) other blogs I have come across some great ideas, and one of them is a giveaway.

I have been wanting to "copy", if you will, this idea of for quite some time, but wasn't quite sure how to go about it, AND I didn't know what item I wanted to give away. MckMama is always giving away all kids of goodies, such as darling hair clips and even cloth diapers! My real-life friend Amanda recently gave away a copy of Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld, which is a great recipe book by the way. While perusing (stalking) MckMama's blog I came across a trio of ladies that make AWESOME t-shirts they are decorated very chic and are 'clothed' in scripture...no pun intended...okay, it was totally intended, I couldn't resist. While drooling over these t-shirts it came to me...my giveaway idea, that is.

Something the Lord has been sifting out of me, quite gently I might add, is to make me more aware of my negative attitude and my overall lack of gratefulness. I have been truly trying to make this verse a reality in my daily life:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
Phillipians 4:8


In an effort to be more positive and to think on things that are TRUE, NOBLE, RIGHT, PURE, LOVELY, ADMIRABLE, EXCELLENT, or PRAISEWORTHY, I have made a list of things I truly love. While many of these things are not directly linked to God, they all come from God and are gifts from Him. By reminding myself of the things I love, and the blessings God gives ALL of us, I am, in a very practical way, praising God.

How does my list of things I love get you an awesome giveaway, you ask? Well, it doesn't really. But....if you leave a comment on this post listing something or somethings that you love I will enter you into a drawing to win a t-shirt from Wild Olive Tees! Unfortunately, they only make t-shirts for the ladies, so men, unless you want to bless with a woman with a shirt, this giveaway isn't for you. I don't know of any men who read my (our) blog anyway.

Hurry, the giveaway will officially end at 11:59p.m., that's 23:59 for you health care and military folks, on Friday, June 5! Oh, and if I don't know you...in real life, that is, then leave your email address please.

So, here are a few things that I love, in NO particular order:

1. Horseback riding, I truly miss riding down our dirt road with my dad and sister, Phoebe. We would ride almost every evening in the summer!

2. Micah's laugh. While I love every baby's laugh, Micah hits me to the core...I'm sure every mother can relate.

3. My job. Seriously. I love both of my jobs. I feel truly blessed to be a mother, and to have a great job outside of the home.

4.My Family. I love having sisters, they are all very beautiful, loving, supportive women! I love the rest of my family, including Jason's family, but having sisters leaves a special bond.

5. Chocolate. This seems like a canned answer, but its not. If I was on a desert island and could only take one thing with me I would have to think long and hard as to whether I would take toilet paper or chocolate. I think I would take chocolate, yup, chocolate.

6. Milk...while we're talking about food. I truly love milk. Jason can attest to this, but every time I drink a glass of milk, I say out loud, "I love milk!" 2% is my preference, but I really should cut back to 1%. You skim milk drinkers, don't even talk to me....its just cloudy water.

7.My "freestyle" jeans (that's the brand name, not my nickname for them, weird). I love(ed) these jeans. Unfortunately I wore them a little too much. This spring they gave out in the crotch...oops. Now I save them for going mushroom hunting or getting muddy. I miss them though!

8. Our mini-van. Yes, we only have one child. No we don't NEED a mini-van...but, oh do I love it! Do you know how much stuff you can leave in a mini-van before cleaning it out? Do you know how many friends (and their babies) you can fit in a mini-van for trips to Amish Country? Never mind the fact that its paid for...car payments are for the birds!

9. This book. And pretty much every other Francine Rivers book.

10. Cake stands....there's just something about them. I only own one, but simply because we live in a 900 square foot apartment, and it only has room for one.

11. Asking my husband every night as we fall to sleep what he wants to be when he grows up...and then forgetting what he says...and asking him 5 minutes later, when I'm still awake and he's already asleep! Poor guy!

12. This verse: "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." Psalm 51:12. I'm not even sure why I am so attracted to this verse, but it gets me every time. God has used it in my life in many different ways.

13. Chacos...no, not choco tacos...although those are good too...chaco sandals.

14. Hammocks. The summer of my senior year of high school I read The Hobbit (sorry, don't know how to underline in blogger) in a hammock in our back yard.

15.Nerts...the game that is. Its similar to Dutch Blitz, but with real cards, not silly 'dutch cards'. I have many fond memories of playing nerts. Listening to Jason Neff sing while playing is NOT one of them.

16. My lady friends...I prayed for a very long time for great women of God to come along side me. Women I could be real with and talk about more than just shopping or gossip. Women who would call me out when I was straying from the Lord, and that I could also support in their walk with Christ. Ladies, you know who you are.

17. Baking, its a weakness and a strength. Remember?

18. My husband, this also sounds like a canned answer, but its not. He's the coolest. My favorite man! (he likes it when I say that) He is truly more than I deserve. He loves me how I need to be loved and brings out the best in me, which can be a challenge.

19. Driving a stick shift. My first three vehicles were stick shifts. My favorite was the 1979 blaze orange Toyota pickup. It had more rust on it than paint and was affectionately called Flame Boy!

20. Being alone, and silence. Silence drives some people nuts, but I thrive off of it...which could be challenging when we have multiple children running around our home! I feel like I'm closest to God, and can focus on Him the best when I'm alone outside or in a quiet area. Maybe I just can't focus on two things at once...regardless, I love being alone.

Okay, I'm sure you've had your fill of what I love...now love-it-up ladies (and any brave men)!