And the winner is...

According to randomizer.org.................................................

Amy V.! 


Just send me a message with your name, address and whether you want a Kindle edition or regular hard copy, and I'll send this awesome book your way!

Giveaway!

I'm so excited to be doing a giveaway for this book! As I mentioned, it changed my parenting, and in turn, my life.

The Connected Child, co-authored by Karen Purvis, David Cross and Wendy Sunshine, is specifically written for adoptive parents, but has so many wonderful insights for biological parents as well. If you're a parent or know someone who is, you should read this book! You will learn many things about yourself and your children, biological and adopted.

Here's the rundown: 

*Leave a comment here saying what your favorite thing about being a parent is. You'll automatically be entered! 

*For an additional entry, share my blog on your Facebook, Twitter or other social networking site, and link back to here!

You won't be disappointed! 

The giveaway will take place on Friday, March 4th. 

Happy entries! 

Preparing dinner and giveaway results!

First off, sorry for not drawing a name on Friday. My bro and his family are out here visiting from Idaho and our days have been full of fun-ness and activity.

Friday we butchered our no-longer-laying hen. We were slaughtering virgins, but we are no more. It was quite the experience. I think the fact that she wasn't a meat chicken and was a year-and-a-half old made from some tough chicken. It was more like chicken jerky. And oh, the term "running around like a chicken with her head cut off" is really just barely an exaggeration. That girl was practically chasing me without her head on. It may not have been actual running, but it was definitely aggressively flopping. My bro was actually the one to cut her head off. Nothing like some good ol' family bonding! I'll be posting pics soon.

And now, the results of the giveaway (Superman helped me out):

Congratulations, Essie! Just send me your e-mail address and I'll send you your Amazon gift!

Life Flies By, So I'll Do A Giveaway!

Superman has already been on summer break for two weeks. Tell me, how did that happen? I think having kids makes time go faster. And I really mean that. There must be some sort of crazy quantum physics/time warp thing going on. Because I'm sure that the last two weeks have only been two days.

At any rate, since we just had a time warp, I've missed blogging for a few weeks.
Superman and I had an incredible trip to San Francisco to celebrate our upcoming 12th anniversary. It's amazing what a little over 24 hours away from children can do for the soul.

We saw "Wicked" and even though Superman was asking if we could leave early before we even sat down, he ended up really liking it!

We took a tour of 'Cisco on Segways. Seriously worth the $70/person. It was probably one of the most fun outings we've done together. I was a little worried that my uncoordinated self would fall off {ungracefully}, but I made it through without any incidents.

We walked Fisherman's Wharf and hung out at Union Square and just really enjoyed each others' company.

Mr. C was the proud owner of our family's first black eye. He got a good shiner after running full speed ahead into a metal gun that shoots balls out at a birthday party.


I mean, really, is that not the prettiest shade of purple you ever did see?


Mr. C was pretty proud of his eye for a few days, but he got a little tired of everyone asking what happened. Luckily, he had his seventh birthday to look forward to! Can't believe he's already 7...


We celebrated the first day of summer vacation by doing...what else? Eating!

We spent all last week at our church's Vacation Bible School. There were over 800 kids there, and Superman and I were in charge of handing out Otter Pops. I don't think I need to cut anymore wrappers any time soon...although I do have quite the system down. The kids had a blast.


And Father's Day was a success at our home. The boys made daddy a card that truly spoke to his heart:


...And I gave him a mandarin tree to plant since his last one was a casualty of a big wind storm a few months ago. I did, however, make sure he knew that I loved him by displaying my undying affection for him on myself:


I finished reading "In Defense of Food" and "Farm City." The latter of which, I must say, is now one of my favorites.

And so, that brings me to my giveaway! After being gone from my poor little blog for a few weeks, I noticed I've passed the "50 followers" mark! Amazon has become my new co-best friend (shared with my Kindle). I wanted to share a little of that love. To celebrate, I'm giving away a $20 gift card for Amazon.com!

Just leave me a comment and you're entered! I'll be drawing a name on Friday.

And the winner is...

Congratulations, Anna!

And thanks to everyone who participated!! Anna, you can e-mail me your mailing address by clicking on the link in my profile. I'll get your book out to you as soon as I hear from you!

Anymore Takers for the Giveaway? And a Few Other Things.

I can't believe there are only 3 of you gals interested in this book! I know there are more of you out there. Last chance--I'm doing the drawing tomorrow! In case you missed it, HERE'S the link.

I had an incredible Saturday with my friend Amber. Superman was a superhero for Christmas, and gave me a gift certificate to a Spa. But the clincher--it wasn't just for me, but for a *friend*, too! It was probably the only time he's ever been able to surprise me with something...somehow I always end up finding out. Amber has never had a massage before, but she was a willing participant. We both got facials and massages and felt completely pampered for a few hours. We topped our morning off with lunch at a local Cafe that made me feel oh, so gourmet. Sorry about the picture quality...I think the lady taking the picture was trying to see just how much she could move her hand around and still have the picture turn out.

I've been thinking of going back to school for my master's degree in marriage and family therapy for about four or five years now. I recently decided to take a leap and go for it. Superman seemed compliant, but not necessarily excited. I made plans, ordered transcripts, started filling out the application. But Superman informed me a few days ago that he's not completely on board. I'd say he probably has like the top half of his body on board, but his legs dangling off. I'm totally ready, completely stoked to be working toward a goal. But if Superman isn't 100% behind me, there's no way I can do it. So, I guess I wait. I hope he'll be on board before I'm too old and can no longer see anymore, but who knows. Sometimes being in a partnership is tough.

Giveaway For Families!

Ok, so you may remember that as part of my 2010 goals I want to do a family devotional every week night. We went to the Christian bookstore and picked up this little gem. And can I just say it has been so much fun! It's great for elementary-age kids. There's one page for each day of the year, with discussion questions to boot. I love it!

And because I love it so much and want to share a great family activity with all of you, I'm giving one of these books away!

Here are the rules:

1. Leave a comment here telling me why YOU would like a devotional for your family (or why you would like to give this as a gift to someone).

2. Post a link to my blog on your blog (or if you don't have a blog, just tell me that).

3. I'll pick the winner next week!

And the winner is...

...Please excuse the dirty fingernails. =)

Congratulations!! Thank you to each of you who entered--and thanks for your blog topic ideas!

Rambling Mother, I'll mail out your gift card by the end of the week. Please let me know when you get it!

Giveaway Update!

Ok, gals. We've all had the sickies around here...pretty sure Superman brought the piggy flu into our house (as is apparent from the pic above).

It spread to J-Man, who went on to go to the E.R. after a bad asthma attack. I got knocked down Saturday night, but I'm on the up and up now! I'll be doing the drawing for the $20 Target gift card tomorrow sometime.

So, if you're interested, go to THIS entry for the rule-i-oes.

Another giveaway!

Who loves Target??? I do! I do! Who wants a $20 Target gift card??? I do! I do!

Alas, it is not for me...but for one of you lucky people!

Here's what I need you to do:

1. Post a comment on this thread with a topic you would like me to write about on my blog. It can be adoption-related, or not.

2. If you have a blog, post a link to my blog on yours.

That's all, friends! I'll do the giveaway early next week. Good luck!!!

Last Day to Enter the Giveaway!!

Enter HERE !

Ok, people! It's time for a giveaway!!!

That's right! I said GIVEAWAY!!

I told you when I got up to 10 followers, I would do my first giveaway, and that you wouldn't be disappointed.

Soooo....here's the deal.

1. You post a link to my blog on your blog.
2. You leave me a comment here, on THIS entry.
3. THAT'S IT!!!

I will randomly pick a winner (out of a hat...or bucket...or kids' hand) on Saturday morning and post the winner here!

And the BEST part:

You get to CHOOSE what prize you want:

A $20 Starbucks gift card

OR

a *SURPRISE* gift package valued at $20!

You decide!

So get to it, gals! These prizes are burning holes in my pockets!

C'mon people! I need some followers! I'll make it worth your while...

Ok, once I get up to 10 followers, I've got a good GIVEAWAY! So, post a comment, become a follower, and I've got a great prize to reward you for your devotion.

C'mon! Help my bribery to work! =)