Second Blog Anniversary & Giveaway

Last week I hit year two of blogging. What an amazing journey this has been.

I look back on my writing and I can see that I have grown much as a writer this year. My mom always told me that practice makes perfect, and in this case it really has. Well I'm not perfect but you know what I mean! :)

The friendships I started two years ago have grown deeper and I've also met many new friends. I've learned, changed, and grown along this journey.

For those of you following along since the beginning, I have changed in that I haven't done as many giveaways this year as in the past. The main reason for that is that I truly enjoy sharing with you. I want people to read my blog for what it is, not for the giveaways. I like the personal aspect of blogging and I feel in some ways, when one does only giveaways (or a lot of them), that is lost.

It's been a fun break to step back from that area of blogging a bit. I think most of you are okay with that too as my readership has grown. Don't worry, I'm not done altogether with giveaways, instead I just plan to be selective in the ones that I do.

Today because I really do enjoy the joy in giving and because I wanted to thank you for being here, encouraging me, and supporting me along this journey, I have a $50 Visa Gift Card to giveaway to one of you.

This is my first time ever using Rafflecopter for an entry, so feel free to let me know if you experience any glitches and if you like it! Also because it is Thanksgiving week, I will run this giveaway until Monday, December 5, 2011.

Blog Anniversary Winner

I typically don't announce the winner of my contests but being this was my blog anniversary giveaway, I wanted to announce it. Before I do though I want to say that I appreciate the feedback each of you shared. I hope to implement some of what was shared. Of course, some I can't or won't change, but I am doing my best to listen to the voice of my readers while staying true to myself at the same time. One thing I was surprised about was that so many of you want me to do book reviews. I love to read, so I will definitely look more into that!

Without further adieu, the winner of my one year blog anniversary is #27: brightleigh #7

She has been contacted and has 24 hours to get back to me.

Update: I never heard back from brightleigh, and I even gave her a few extra days of waiting just in case with Thanksgiving...so I'll pick a new winner in the morning when I'm not so tired!

Update #2: A new winner has been picked and emailed. Congrats to #7!

Thanks everyone and I look forward to this next year of blogging with you!

Blog Anniversary, A Big Thank You, and A Giveaway

One year ago today I began blogging. In some ways I can't believe it's only been a year. In other ways, I am shocked it has already been a year.

I started with the intention of sharing with friends and family my life and pictures of the girls. I never knew the bonds and friendships I would form blogging. It has been an amazing year! I've enjoyed sharing those stories and pictures. I've also appreciated your thoughts, comments, love, and help when I needed it. Thank you!

So today I celebrate my blogaversary by celebrating you! I want to give one of you a $50 Visa Gift Card. I wish I could give each and everyone of you who has read or commented a gift, but I obviously can't. However, one of the biggest joys in blogging for me has been to give something away. I love when I get that e-mail back exclaiming how you are so happy to win as you wanted such and such for a long time.

So this week I hope I can give with my words on here to each and everyone of you and one of you will be receiving a $50 Visa Gift Card.


To win it all you have to do is comment and tell me when you started reading my blog (even if it was today) and one thing you'd like me to change, or implement on my blog (this can be about posts or giveaways). Is there a topic you are dying me to write about? A review you'd like to read about? A giveaway you'd love me to host? A different way to enter giveaways? It can be anything and I promise to read each and everyone of your thoughts and try to change or implement them on here if I feel it is the direction I should go.


Please do me the favor of making sure you leave your e-mail address in the comment if it is not visible on your profile.

Thank you and here is to another year making more friends and memories!


Contest ends Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. CST



Disclaimer: I am providing the winner of this post with a $50 gift card with money from my pocket. No compensation was given for this post. I just love you and want to thank you for being there for me this past year!